Sacred Turtle Symbolism and Lore

A great deal of mythology exists in regards to the Turtle.

1. In the Far East, the Turtle's shell was a symbol of heaven, and the square underside was a symbol of earth. The turtle was an animal whose magic united heaven and earth.

The Turtle is a creation of nature that carries its round shell over the ground, like heaven, and has a flat bottom, like earth. With a profile resembling a mountain and the turning motion of its toes, it seemed to be a depiction of heaven and earth changing constantly through the seasons.

2. In the West, early Christians didn't like Turtles, and they viewed them as symbolizing evil forces during war.

3. In Greece, Turtles were once believed to be citizens of hell.

4. in the Hindu religion the Turtle is considered to be the second incarnation of the powerful god Vishnu.

"Legends say that after a great flood, which occurs every four billion years and dissolves the earth, Vishnu transforms himself into a great Turtle. On his back, the Turtle carries a vessel in which the gods and demons mix the elements necessary to re-create the globe. After a thousand years, when the earth has been reborn, the Turtle remains in place, and on his back stands a large elephant, which supports the planet."

Turtles are also symbols of immortality and are considered temporary dwelling places for souls making their way through a series of lives on the path to Nirvana.






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5. A Japanese Fairy Tale about Urashima, tells of a man who protects a Turtle from some boys who were bothering it. As a reward, the Turtle takes the man to meet the King of the Ocean. As a reward for his good deed, Urashima marries the King's beautiful water sprite daughter.

6. In Nigeria, the Turtle was a symbol of the female sex organs and sexuality.

7. To the Native Americans, the Turtle was associated with the lunar cycle, menstruation, and the power of the female energies.

The markings and sections on some Turtles, total thirteen. In the lunar calendar, there are either thirteen full moons or thirteen new moons, alternating each year. Many believe this is where the association with the female energies originated. The Turtle, thus has come to symbolize the Primal Mother and Mother Earth.

8. To the modern Chinese, Turtles are viewed in many different ways. They are worshiped in temples and Flour Turtles are used as offerings at temple festivals or big family events.

9.Buddhist beliefs restrain the killing of animals, this evolved into the Buddhist ceremony of releasing the Turtles.

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