Totem

"A mythical clan founding ancestor. Totem origins are so far back in time that they are often believed to be non-human. Totems are used as symbols of clans. When they are believed to be particular kinds of animals or plants, killing or eating them is usually not allowed. Totems are also referred to as "totemic emblems" http://anthro.palomar.edu/tutorials/cglossary.htm (the totem of the internet is cats)