What are totem poles primarily associated with?

Totem poles are primarily associated with animal symbolism and family lineage because they are significant cultural artifacts created by Indigenous peoples, particularly those in the Pacific Northwest of North America. These poles often feature carved images of animals, mythological beings, and ancestral figures that represent important spiritual beliefs, cultural identities, and clan lineage. Each figure on a totem pole has a specific meaning and contributes to the telling of the family's history or the tribe's stories, serving as a record of the lineage and an emblem of family heritage.

The other options are less relevant in the context of totem poles. Modern art movements refer to contemporary art styles that do not typically connect with the traditional cultural context from which totem poles originate. Cultural languages pertain to the communication methods and linguistic characteristics of societies but do not encapsulate the visual and symbolic significance of totem poles. Mathematical designs focus on geometric or numerical representations which do not reflect the primary symbolic intentions of totem poles, as they are more concerned with artistic expression and cultural narratives rather than mathematical concepts.