(figurative) a symbol of a hierarchy (group of persons or things arranged in order of rank, grade, class, etc.). Literally, a totempole is a pole on which some Native Americans carved totems—figures of animals, plants or other objects in nature that had a special relationship to a person, family or clan and serving as symbols for that person or group. The totempole usually stood in front of a house or shelter. —SHSBC Binder 11 Approved Glossary