The Totem pole that stands in the Quincentennial Plaza, is one of the most recognizable structures in Old San Juan, right next to “El Morro Fort” and “La Garita de San Juan”. It has become the center stage for much of the day to day social activities, as well as the annual “Saint Sebastian Street Festival” and the monthly “Galleria Night”.

On a normal day you might see tourists taking pictures in the morning, students from all over the island mingling with local children in the public walk-through fountain in the afternoon. As the evening falls you could be entertained by the skater kids practicing their chops on their skateboards or a local troubadour who will delight you with songs for your spare change.

On “Galleria Night” you might have a hard time walking through, as the place is littered with makeshift kiosks from local artists that sell everything from t shirts to real pineapple cups. The Saint Sebastian Street Festival is the Puerto Rican equivalent of Mardi Gras, with college kids from all over Puerto Rico and the USA ,coming together for one week of fun and celebration. But aside from all the activities that go on on its vicinity: What does the Tótem “stand” for?

Created and named by artist Jaime Suárez, the Tótem Telúrico stands in the Quincentennial Plaza celebrating Puerto Rico’s history. It stands there as a reminder that history is above us, the supreme structure of our civilization.It stands as an example of strength of our culture. Its majesty is only over shadowed by the events it commemorates: the arrival of Cristobal Colon and the Spanish Conquistadores to our shores.

Today we realize that Arawaks who left South America and came up the Lesser Antilles are the real “discoverers” of our great Island, but the significance of November 19, 1493 to the European world is what is celebrated in the Quincentennial Plaza. The Tótem Telúrico represents how one tiny island, meant a whole new world for Europe.

So now you know, next time you stand before the Tótem in OSJ, remember the faces of your fathers, all of them tower in front of you.

*all pics taken from google images.