Totems aren’t just relics of the past or tribal décor. They’re deeply personal emblems, often rooted in ancient tradition, that represent who we are and where we come from. Whether carved in stone or painted on ceremonial items, totems act as spiritual guides, protectors, and connections to something greater.
Now, imagine combining the symbolic weight of a totem with the playful, mystical charm of a character like Labubu a mischievous creature from POP MART’s universe. At first glance, they may seem unrelated. But look closer, and you’ll find shared magic: symbols that reveal identity, emotion, and hidden lore.
What Exactly Is a Totem?
A totem is a symbolic object often an animal, plant, or sacred artifact linked to a person, family, or community. These symbols serve as spiritual guides, protectors, and identity markers.
Totems have deep roots in Indigenous cultures, especially among Native American tribes and Aboriginal Australians. Crafted from wood, stone, or bone, they’re decorated with meaningful carvings: birds of prey, mythical creatures, or revered plants.
Totems aren’t chosen randomly. They’re believed to represent a person’s inner essence or ancestral spirit. You don’t just wear a totem you carry a legacy.
Totem or Labubu? Both Can Be Protectors
Labubu, a trickster spirit born from designer toys, might feel like a modern creation. But his aura playful, mysterious, and protective echoes ancient totemic symbols. Like a totem animal, Labubu can symbolize inner traits: curiosity, chaos, resilience.
For some collectors, Labubu is a kind of personal totem. He watches from the shelf but feels alive, like he’s guarding your dreams or whispering wild ideas. That connection real or imagined is exactly what traditional totems inspire.
Common Totem Animals and Their Meanings
Across many belief systems, certain animals recur as powerful totems. These figures carry specific traits, making them ideal spiritual allies:
- Eagle: vision, freedom, divine connection
- Wolf: loyalty, intuition, courage
- Bear: strength, introspection, protection
- Deer: gentleness, grace, adaptability
- Snake: rebirth, transformation, mystery
Each animal brings a different type of guidance. Want to know yours? There’s a fascinating way to find out.
Find Your Totem by Birth Month
According to Native American lore, your birth month can hint at your spirit animal or totem. Here’s a quick guide:
| Month | Totem Animal |
|---|---|
| January | Wolf |
| February | Eagle |
| March | Raccoon |
| April | Buffalo |
| May | Deer |
| June | Bear |
| July | Snake |
| August | Horse |
| September | Squirrel |
| October | Falcon |
| November | Raven |
| December | Cat |
While not definitive, this method gives a fun and meaningful starting point for self-discovery. Combine it with observation and introspection to refine your personal symbol.
How to Discover Your True Totem
Not every totem announces itself loudly. Sometimes, it’s subtle. Here’s how to spot yours:
- Recurring Dreams: Do certain animals appear often?
- Real-life Encounters: Which creatures seem to cross your path regularly?
- Emotional Pull: Are there animals you feel deeply drawn to or fear?
- Meditation or Ritual: Seek guidance from within or through spiritual practice.
Some also use tarot-style totem decks or guided visualizations. Remember, this is a personal journey, don’t rush it.
Positive vs. Dangerous Totems
While most totems are protective, not all are friendly. In some traditions, dangerous or taboo totems exist known as wakan. These might be crafted from animal bones, raw meat, or cursed objects.
Wakan are believed to transmit illness or misfortune to those who misuse them. They aren’t evil by nature, but their energy is raw, unpredictable. Handle with reverence or not at all.
Totems in Today’s World
In our digital, collectible-driven era, traditional symbols often resurface in modern ways. Think of totems as ancestral NFTs unique, encoded with meaning, and deeply personal.
That’s where Labubu comes in again. What started as a vinyl figure is now part of a mythos, a connection point for fans seeking belonging or playfulness in chaotic times. Much like a totem, Labubu reflects what you value: humor, mischief, or hidden wisdom.
Totemism as a Belief System
Totemism is more than decoration. It’s a spiritual framework where people identify with natural elements, especially animals, as guardians or ancestors.
In many Indigenous cultures, your totem determines roles within the tribe. Totemic symbols decorate homes, clothing, and sacred spaces. They’re not superstition, but belief systems that link the physical and spiritual.
Why Totems Still Matter
Totems endure because they answer a timeless question: Who am I, really?
Whether you’re connecting with your Indigenous roots, exploring dream symbolism, or bonding with a character like Labubu, the message is the same. Symbols matter. They help us remember who we are and what guides us.
And in a world craving meaning, that’s no small magic.