Totem Pole


After a year's worth of thought and rejected ideas, we settled on covering the support pole in our basement with a custom totem pole. It was carved by Carl Muggli in northern Minnesota.


Even though it's only 8 1/2 feet high, the crate weighed in a 250 pounds.


Securely nestled in its shipping crate.


The core had been hollowed out to fit around the pole. It's held together with monster screws!


We've named it "chordata" since it represents all the major groups of vertebrates. From top to bottom: eagle, wolf, frog, turtle, eagle's nest, bear holding fish.

Descriptions of Totems from totempole.net:

Eagle

Connection to higher realms, courage, divine spirit sacrifice. Symbol of power, healing. Eagle represents a state of grace that is reached through inner work. They claimed their Eagle was the most powerful and useful because it could fly higher than any other bird and detect an enemy.

Wolf

Loyalty, teacher, pathfinder. Wolf medicine has a strong sense of self. Spirit teaching, guidance in dreams. Known for its stealth and cunning on the hunt. It is an honor to have Wolf as a protector on this pole.

Frog

Energy, the voice of the people. When Earth was born, Sun was in the bottom of the sea. The world was dark. Thunderbird wanted to bring Sun into the sky, but could not hold his breath to the bottom of the sea. This brave Frog with long arms brought Sun to the surface so Thunderbird could bring Sun into the sky, so there would be light for all people.

Turtle

In the beginning there was only water. This magical Turtle dove to the bottom of the sea and dug a very large hole. He then crawled into the hole and raised up a large piece of dirt to the surface. Thus giving the people a place on earth.

Eagle's Nest

An Eagles Crest. Two Eaglets standing on the rim of a nest. Often used to depict a person's "oneness" or "closeness" with their family.

Bear

A Raven Crest. Power, healing, mother earth. Bear has the skill of visualizing new things. Communication with spirits. Known for his strength and courage, he is here holding a fish, showing he is a good provider.



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Susan Wells Rollinson
Renovated October 2019. Updated 5/8/08.