A note on the word ‘totem’:

The word ‘totem’ is derived from the Ojibwe language of the indiginous people who reside in the land that is North and West of the Great Lakes. I believe it comes from the word ototeman, denoting a sibling type of relationship.  In English, ‘totem’ has come to refer to guardians, sacred objects, or tutelary beings in cultures around the world.  Contemporary English is notorious for cultural appropriation, so it is all the more important to be graceous and respectful when using this term.

We get the English word animal from the Latin animalis, describing something that breathes, possesses a soul, and is alive. Being ‘alive’ is often considered a condition specific to animal. It is a state of being that is alert and active, also known as being animated. A ‘soul’ is understood as a unique feature (often regarded as immortal) having no physical or material reality, yet it is credited with the functions of knowing, feeling, and choosing. In terms of biology, animals generally share the following characteristics: They breathe oxygen, they consume organic materials, they are able to move (for at least some part of their lives), they reproduce sexually, and during a stage in embryonic development (blastulation) their cells can be differentiated into specialized tissues and organs. Here is a look at some of the personalities of our brothers and sisters in the Animal Kingdom.