Totem poles are ornamental statues that are adorned with faces and figures in order to tell a story, from the mightiest of mythical tales to instances of public ridicule, where they are called “shame poles.” They are carved out of trees and were often utilized by Native Americans all throughout North America.
Prayer wheels are used by many religious (including Hindus) to do a great many things, from facilitating good karma via providing wisdom to heading off bad karma such as poor luck and misfortune. The prayer wheels, when created and used, are meant to provide great solace and assistance when praying, especially while repeating mantras.
Purdah is a (primarily Muslim) religious concept which is defined as separating the sexes from each other, usually in the form of ritual concealment of the female form through covering their bodies with elaborate and bulky religious garments, such as the hijab and burqa.
All three of these types of religious ornamentation or practice are a means to bring an object or item into their own faith. They are a means by which to express certain beliefs and ideologies; the totem tells stories of significance to all who witness it, the prayer wheel is used to enhance the effectiveness of prayer and to impart good luck, and the practice of purdah covers women up to separate them from men, keeping them pure and clean. The common thread among these three practices is the expression of religious or cultural belief through materials; it is thought that, by personifying or manifesting the belief through an object (or garment in the case of purdah), that makes the belief more real and tangible, and it reminds people of those beliefs.
