Crossword Genius

Satisfied scripture from the east shows symbolic item (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

totem

'symbolic item' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'satisfied scripture from the east' is the wordplay.
'satisfied' becomes 'met' (as in 'met the conditions of his contract').
'scripture' becomes 'OT' (Old Testament).
'from the east' is a reversal indicator (on a map from right to left).
'met'+'ot'='metot'
'metot' written backwards gives 'TOTEM'.

'shows' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for totem that I've seen before include "Object adopted by N American Indians as emblem" , "Tribal symbol (maybe on pole)" , "Motet (anag.)" , "Badge of tribe etc" , "Spiritually significant emblem" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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