Wood Badge Totems

What is a totem? The dictionary says it is an animal, plant, or natural object that is associated with a clan or smaller group of a tribe, and is regarded by the members of the group as a protector or sacred ancestor. The name of the group is often derived from the totem. From Ojibwa, ototeman meaning "his totem, his relation,"

Although that description does describe much of what a Wood Badge patrol totem is, it does notcapture the whole meaning it has come to have. Among the synonyms we could think of are the following:

Amulet, Charm, Coat of Arms, Crest, Emblem, Ensign, Hallmark, Insignia, Logo, Mark, Mascot, Seal, Sign, Symbol, Talisman, Token, Trademark.

We obviously borrowed the term from the North American native culture. They gave it mystical or metaphysical meaning. We give it sentimental, nostalgic and imaginary meaning. Wood Badge participants use it to mark correspondance, notes, and of course, subscription orders.

A well executed Wood Badge totem may include but is not limited to the following elements:

• The patrol animal
• The course date
• The course number
• The location of the Wood Badge course
• Quickly or easily drawn by hand
• Simplicity
• A unifying symbol of something all patrol members shared in or remember
• Some indicator(s) of individual patrol members