the totem and the taboo

"The Totem and the Taboo" by Sigmund Freud explores how cultural symbols and forbidden behaviors reflect deep psychological processes. A totem is a sacred symbol—often an animal or object—representing a group’s identity and unity. The taboo involves prohibitions against certain actions, such as killing the totem animal, which stem from subconscious guilt and taboos rooted in early family conflicts. Freud suggests that these structures mirror internal psychological struggles, transferring individual emotions to societal symbols, helping societies maintain cohesion while individuals process underlying feelings of guilt and desire.