Carry mark: sign on pole? (5)
I believe the answer is:
totem
'sign on pole?' is the definition.
(as in a totem pole)
'carry mark' is the wordplay.
'carry' becomes 'tote' (toting is a kind of carrying).
'mark' becomes 'm'.
'tote'+'m'='TOTEM'
(Other definitions for totem that I've seen before include "Pole used in ritual" , "Emblem of kinship among native Americans" , "Symbol, emblem" , "charming symbol, say" , "Object adopted by N American Indians as emblem" .)