Totems of the Cowichan Tribes. Vancouver Island, Canada.

The ancient art of totem carving has been handed down through generations as a way of preserving the history of local native heritage as well as honoring tribal rituals and sacred spirits. Traditionally the totems have been a pictorial record of a family's legendary and spiritual ancestry or their wealth and standing in the community. They were also used to guard a family's home, welcome guests, honor the dead and even make fun of enemies or to embarrass a rival.

One often-asked question about totems is where the carver gets his inspiration and how he chooses the crests for the particular pole he is carving. The crests are animals familiar to the carver - wolf, bear, eagle, raven, frog, and others. Most totems have patrons, and the patron frequently requests what crests he wants on the pole. The carver then may choose his rendition of the crest, so his talent is never compromised. Each tribal group preserves its identity by carving in a unique style, indistinguishable to the layman, but distinct to experts of Northwest Native art.

If you're inclined to order your own private totem, cost varies between $500 to $2,500 per foot, depending upon the reputation of the carver. A 30-foot tall totem can cost as much as $75,000.