Ive had..... anouther idea!

Totems should reflect what the tribes do and what they repression E.g.
If a tribe is evil it should have bones and skulls on it and should be a darker colour with mist and a dark evil kind of feel.
If a tribe is neutral it should have a balanced half 'n' half kind of look and feel
If a tribe is good for instance it should have flowers or a less feminine approach but still look "good"

also if the tribe is small or a homestead it should be puny and small but if the tribe is a real tribe with 25 or 40+ men/women it should be big and grand