Name: WHALE TOTEM
Time: 19th century
Location: Haida Culture, Pacific Northwest, NA

This reproduction of a rare black-stone argillite Haida totem tells the story of Killer Whale, Beaver, Frog, and Raven. The bear at the top represents the artist who carved the totem. The largest figure, generally at the base, is the most significant. The Whale is the ruler of the Underwater City. He loathes the Thunderbird and lives with noble supernatural beings in the sea. A totem was raised for several reasons: to honor a deceased elder, to show the number of names and rights a person had acquired, to record an encounter with a supernatural being, to symbolize generosity.