in 2025 I think tattoos are more like totem poles.

In today’s society, particularly in America in 2025, tattoos have evolved into deeply personal and cultural expressions, serving a role not unlike the symbolic totem poles carved by Indigenous tribes such as the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian of the Pacific Northwest. Just as totem poles were not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, carrying spiritual and ancestral meanings, modern tattoos often serve as visual narratives of an individual's identity, heritage, beliefs, and personal journey.

Totem poles traditionally stood as monuments that told stories of familial lineage, clan mythology, or historical events. Each figure carved into a pole—whether an eagle, bear, wolf, or raven—held unique symbolism and represented particular traits, deities, or ancestors. These poles acted as both historical records and spiritual signposts, often created for ceremonial purposes such as honoring a deceased chief, marking a special event, or celebrating a clan’s legacy. No two totem poles were exactly the same, just as no two tattoos are identical in meaning to their wearers.

In the same way, tattoos today are often more than just art—they are storytelling tools etched into the skin. A tattoo of a lion might represent courage; a rose could signify lost love or beauty; coordinates might mark a significant location; a quote might serve as a life motto or tribute. As with totem poles, each symbol in a tattoo carries layered meaning, often understandable only to the person who wears it, and sometimes to their close circle, forming a personal mythology.

In American culture, especially among younger generations, tattoos have shifted from being seen as rebellious or taboo to being celebrated as authentic self-expression. They create a visible timeline of experiences, values, and personal evolution, much like how totem poles recorded the life and spirit of a community. Both practices honor memory, identity, and symbolism in physical form, and both are rooted in the human desire to externalize the internal.

Therefore, tattoos in modern America can be viewed as our generation’s version of totem poles—living, breathing totems that carry our stories, protect our values, and connect us to something larger, whether that be family, experience, belief, or culture. Tattoos, like totem poles, serve as public declarations of who we are and where we come from.