A Gitxsan pole (left) and Kwakwaka'wakw pole (right) at Thunderbird Park in Victoria, British Columbia. Totem poles are monumental sculptures, a type of Northwest Coast art, consisting of poles, posts or pillars, carved with symbols or figures. They are usually made from large trees, mostly western red cedar, by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest coast of North America (Washington, Oregon, and Canada's western province, British Columbia).
gesture. an act made or something said to signify intention or attitude. suicidal gesture a more serious warning than a suicide threat; it may be followed by a planned suicidal act that attracts attention without seriously injuring the subject.
gesture noun [ C ] (MOVEMENT) C1 a movement of the hands, arms, or head, etc. to express an idea or feeling: The prisoner raised his fist in a gesture of defiance as he was led out of the courtroom. She made a rude gesture at the other driver.