Buddy Spike Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 FYI The vertical order of images is widely believed to be a significant representation of importance. This idea is so pervasive that it has entered into common parlance with the phrase "low man on the totem pole". This phrase is indicative of the most common belief of ordering importance, that the higher figures on the pole are more important or prestigious. A counterargument frequently heard is that figures are arranged in a "reverse hierarchy" style, with the most important representations being on the bottom, and the least important being on top. There have never been any restrictions on vertical order; many poles have significant figures on the top, others on the bottom, and some in the middle. Other poles have no vertical arrangement at all, consisting of a lone figure atop an undecorated column. Sometimes a very exclusive or prestigious family crest is placed on the bottom. There it supports the remainder of the crests above. Placing a figure on the bottom increases its prominence as a feature of the pole, as trees are thicker towards the base, increasing the bottom figure's size. Placement on the bottom also brings that figure closer to the people, increasing their interaction with that crest. Haida doorways are often seen embedded in the bottoms of house-frontal poles. These were kept deliberately small. To enter, guests and members of the house would need to bow in respect to the supporting crest of the pole. Conversely, the tops of Haida poles often feature a family's moiety-crest. Haidas come from one of two moieties and identify primarily as the descendants of an eagle or a raven-associated family. This 'primary' crest could be said to be more important as the first level of family identity and societal structure, or less important as one of the most common and least exclusive crests. Given the complexity and meaning of symbolism in Haida totem poles, which figure is most important could be considered arbitrary. The importance of each crest is in the observer's informedness and connection to the meanings of each figure. Asserting that one figure, story, or history is more important than another because of its placement on a pole may reflect the observer's own cultural perceptions of hierarchy than the actual significance of the figures.
Bender Posted March 19, 2014 Posted March 19, 2014 Butters + the word "parlance" = plagiarism Fascinating info though. Bendy
matmacwc Posted March 20, 2014 Posted March 20, 2014 Copy, Butters doesn't like the guard either. Do they have transfusions for blue blood?
Butters Posted March 20, 2014 Posted March 20, 2014 Butters + the word "parlance" = plagiarism Fascinating info though. Bendy Yes, my knowledge of totem poles is only Wikipieda deep. Cut and past is easier than typing all that shit out. Oh, and I love the Guard. Why shouldn't each state have it's own independent CAF? We will need it when they come for our guns. 3
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