Totems

Stanley Park also has an impressive collection of totem poles. A dry ditch separates the enthusiastic tourists from these tall, carved structures which tell a story of a clan or person. They were not worshipped by the native peoples but are very much part of their heritage.

On the right above is a burial totem and originally the remains were in the top section. The eagle, wolf, bear, beaver, frog and orca were some of the animals represented.

The Douglas Fir tree and other pines grow to enormous heights on the BC wet coastal areas so it is little wonder that the totems are so tall.