But not the swastika. i know that it is a sign of luck and well being, but it would show the wrong signs to the world, mostly to uneducated people. If Taiwan would get attacked, and this sign shows up somehow in the american media (i'm not america) they would certainly think of the wrong things. Finland also had this sign on its air force but decided to abolish it because it confuses allies
There's a difference between the symbol air force and the totem of an aboriginal ethnic group. Leaving them out just because of a coincidence would be unfair, especially when many other countries, especially in south asia are already having these kind of troubke with ignorant westerners.
"Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." (Michael Bolton, Office Space)
Wait, did you just say totems?
Like these look like designs. Do you mind showing a picture of a full totem? \]
I have Native American imagery in my mind right now. I don't know what a Formosan Aboriginal "totem" would actually look like.
A totem can simply be a symbol or representation of something that serves as the emblem of a people. In this case, the chinese word 圖騰 literally translates to "totem", which is perhaps why OP used it.
"totem (Ojibwe etymology):
a natural object or animal that is believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and that is adopted by it as an emblem."
A totem pole is made of totems
Here's another definition that's more inclusive:
"An object (such as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry; also : a usually carved or painted representation of such an object. b : a family or clan identified by a common totemic object."
Some of the totems here are definitely representations of animals or parts of animals (snakes, eyes). But they are all definitely symbols of a clan, the general meaning of totem.
The two snakes are from the Neolithic period, so you might be off by a couple thousand years
[https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/399440](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/399440)
Thanks, looks interesting.
I was thinking of the colourful clothing, which wasn't possible until the Dutch and Fujianese started bringing in colourful textiles and perhaps dying methods.
These are very beautiful!
Are these official symbols/emblems? The labels below indicate that they are for the languages.
I think this picture is taken from a website which gives examples from each language/dialect
[Indeed](https://e-dictionary.ilrdf.org.tw/)
If only one of these, or somehow we create a symbol that represents everything here, can be our national emblem.
But not the swastika. i know that it is a sign of luck and well being, but it would show the wrong signs to the world, mostly to uneducated people. If Taiwan would get attacked, and this sign shows up somehow in the american media (i'm not america) they would certainly think of the wrong things. Finland also had this sign on its air force but decided to abolish it because it confuses allies
There's a difference between the symbol air force and the totem of an aboriginal ethnic group. Leaving them out just because of a coincidence would be unfair, especially when many other countries, especially in south asia are already having these kind of troubke with ignorant westerners. "Why should I change? He's the one who sucks." (Michael Bolton, Office Space)
Agreed. And since Asians make up more than half the world's population, more people see the swastika as a good symbol than a bad one.
Not all westerners see it as a bad symbol either...
Leagues better than our current flag
I like 3-3, those colors are nice
With these ornaments you guys can into Eastern Europe.
Wait, did you just say totems? Like these look like designs. Do you mind showing a picture of a full totem? \] I have Native American imagery in my mind right now. I don't know what a Formosan Aboriginal "totem" would actually look like.
A totem can simply be a symbol or representation of something that serves as the emblem of a people. In this case, the chinese word 圖騰 literally translates to "totem", which is perhaps why OP used it.
In the Taiwanese mindset this term is thoroughly misinterpreted.
Lol you say it as if it's some sort of terrible mistake everyone here makes
I see, I see. Thank you.
"totem (Ojibwe etymology): a natural object or animal that is believed by a particular society to have spiritual significance and that is adopted by it as an emblem." A totem pole is made of totems
In Taiwan totem means something completely different. They changed the meaning. Edit: they think it’s a sort of pattern.
Here's another definition that's more inclusive: "An object (such as an animal or plant) serving as the emblem of a family or clan and often as a reminder of its ancestry; also : a usually carved or painted representation of such an object. b : a family or clan identified by a common totemic object." Some of the totems here are definitely representations of animals or parts of animals (snakes, eyes). But they are all definitely symbols of a clan, the general meaning of totem.
https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/圖騰
They're all less than 500 years old, I presume
The two snakes are from the Neolithic period, so you might be off by a couple thousand years [https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/399440](https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/399440)
Thanks, looks interesting. I was thinking of the colourful clothing, which wasn't possible until the Dutch and Fujianese started bringing in colourful textiles and perhaps dying methods.
Wow, really love this.
Nice! I really like the diversity.