totem

And the 1955 “East of Eden,” directed by Ms. Kazan’s grandfather Elia, was the only James Dean movie that James Dean got to see; his untimely death and posthumous mythology made it a pop-cultural totem.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

There was a collective swoon when news came through on Thursday that McTominay, the totem, had an iffy tummy, but he's good now.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

"It is a totem of celebration for Chinese people and people around the world," he said.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

Indeed, it is difficult to think of any place outside the tribal areas of Afghanistan or Waziristan where the firearm is such a cultural totem.

From Salon ● Feb. 7, 2026

And I wanted to tell Newcharlie that he had the totem pole idea all screwed up.

From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson

Turner, who died Wednesday at age 87, elbowed his way to the forefront of modern television by prioritizing profit over deeper questions about whether certain cultural totems should be held sacrosanct.

From Salon ● May 8, 2026

In his work exist iconic signs of beloved local establishments — like the Playpen — the blinding glint reflecting off downtown’s skyline, telephone poles regarded as totems.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 17, 2026

But he is best known for his inimitable, Surrealist pictures featuring skeletal, architectonic figures—merging humans, animals, foliage, totems and signs—which, though indecipherable, are instantly recognizable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026

To add spice they were without three totems of their team, Lawrence Shankland, Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

They didn’t reveal too much about their totems, because such information could be used by witches.

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer