Originally Posted By: BranShea
>I've seen this called "spirit totem", "animal totem" "spirit animal" ("animal spirit").

Do you have some extra information about whether they did know by life which animal was their spirit totum or did they get confronted with it in the hour of their death? A mosquito or some unpleasantly buzzing bug wouldn't be encouraging to dy for.

A bird, I guess we all would like to be a bird spirit.


I'm winging it here, so anyone feel free to correct me... Most animal totems were/are assigned to babies, usually by a shaman or village elder, but I think parents could, also, if they have strong feelings. In any case, some traditions hold that you have more than one, so you may choose one for yourself. There wouldn't be much point, though, in waiting until you were dying, because the totem is meant to be a life guide; but I can't say that might never happen.

I don't know what animal (or animals) it would be for me. I used to dream of being a deer and a dolphin when I was younger, but as an adult I have been consistently drawn to dragons. :0)