Totemism is a system of religious belief and practice, often found in indigenous societies, which attributes sacred or divine properties and symbolic significance to a particular type of animal, plant, natural object, or even a mythical being, known as a totem. The totem serves as an emblem or symbol for a group, such as a clan or lineage, representing its identity, origin, and its spiritual or mystical relationship with the natural world. Members of the group may have specific rituals, obligations, or prohibitions associated with their totem, such as not hunting or eating the animal, or showing it particular reverence. Totemism often reinforces social cohesion and group solidarity by providing a shared symbol of identity and a framework for understanding the group's place within the broader ecological and spiritual order.