Tikis and totem poles aren’t just eye-catching wooden sculptures. They’re powerful symbols, deeply rooted in history, spirituality, and cultural identity. These carvings have adorned sacred spaces, village centers, and homes for centuries, telling stories and preserving heritage. Today, modern chainsaw artists are helping to keep these traditions alive in a new way by creating stunning custom carvings inspired by these cultural icons. If you have ever dreamed of having a tiki statue or totem pole of your own, The Wright Carver will share what you should know about their meaning, and how to respectfully bring one into your space.
Tiki Guardians in Polynesian Lore
The word Tiki refers to the first man in Māori mythology, and by extension, tiki figures represent ancestors and deities in Polynesian cultures including Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Samoan to name a few. Traditionally carved from wood or stone, tikis were often used to:
• Protect sacred spaces
• Honor gods and spirits
• Mark important locations
Each tiki figure usually symbolizes a specific Polynesian god, such as:
• Ku: The god of war and strength
• Lono: The god of fertility and peace
• Kane: The god of creation and sunlight
• Kanaloa: The god of the ocean
Modern tiki carvings bring tropical flair and spiritual symbolism to gardens, tiki bars, and outdoor living spaces blending tradition with creativity.
Totem Poles; Storytellers of Indigenous Cultures
Totem poles originate from Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast including the Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Kwakwaka’wakw. Unlike tikis, totem poles are storytelling structures, often carved from tall cedar trees, and used to:
• Record family lineage
• Honor ancestors
• Depict tribal legends or clan emblems
• Mark ceremonial events
Each figure on a totem pole represents a character in the story with animals like eagles, bears, wolves, frogs, and mythical beings often taking center stage. These carvings were never idols or worshipped objects. Instead, they served as proud markers of identity, history, and social rank.
Cultural Respect Matters
When incorporating tiki or totem-inspired carvings into your space, it’s important to approach with respect and understanding:
• Avoid using sacred symbols or copying specific tribal designs without permission.
• Instead, work with an artist to create a stylized or inspired carving that pays homage to the art without imitating sacred objects.
• When in doubt, choose abstract or animal-based carvings inspired by the style, rather than exact replicas.
Chainsaw Carvings
Today’s chainsaw carvers are bringing new life to traditional carving styles. With incredible detail and precision, chainsaw artists can sculpt custom tikis or totem-inspired poles from logs, stumps, or large tree trunks right in your backyard if desired. Here’s what you can create:
• A Tiki Guardian for your garden or patio bar
• A Totem-Inspired Story Pole that tells your family’s journey or values
• A Fusion Piece combining traditional design with fantasy, nature, or personalized symbols
Custom Chainsaw Carvings Based in Washington State (Hayden Wright is a traveling chainsaw artist who creates bold, one-of-a-kind wood carvings for clients and in competitions across the U.S. and Internationally)
Whether you are honoring heritage, telling a story, or simply adding a stunning centerpiece to your outdoor space, tiki carvings and totem-inspired poles offer more than decoration. They invite conversation, connection, and cultural appreciation. Are you looking to commission a custom tiki or totem carving? Call The Wright Carver today.
