You wonder what is the symbolic meaning of the turtle ? This article will reveal all the mysteries and secrets linked to this fascinating reptile. From Asia, to America via Polynesia ... We are going to make you travel in history and show you that The turtle represents an important symbol In the majority of cultures! 🤓
(PSST ... Stay well with us to the end, we slipped you A surprise at the end of this article !)
1) The meaning of the turtle in Asia
has. Symbolic of the turtle in China 🇨🇳
In the Chinese feng-shui, the turtle is one of the 4 sacred animals (next to the Phoenix, the Tiger and the Dragon). Part of the oldest animals of the earth, it is considered a symbol of wisdom, endurance, wealth and long life.
In Chinese culture, it is also said that the turtle carries the world on its back and that Its shell has secrets of heaven, earth and universe✨. The shells of the latter even were used in very old rites to predict the future during the Chinese dynasty Shang (-1766 at -1122 BC).
The extraordinary survival of the reptile within the animal kingdom and its long longevity (100 years or more) suggests that these creatures have somehow “supernatural powers” 🧙♂️. This is why there are many representations of turtles in several Chinese temples.
In China, it is also common (even today) to use The turtle as a lucky charm By carrying it totem On oneself or by installing it in the form of a statuette in precise places of your home. This allowsprotection or prosperity on his home.🏡
She is also associated with wealth In popular Feng-Shui. For example, it is customary for the Chinese to install a turtle statue in their office so that it brings success in business. There are also coins struck with the image of the animal and more particularly to the effigy of Dragon turtle (mixture of 2 sacred animals).💸
b. The turtle in Japan 🇯🇵
In Japan, the word for turtle is "kame". For the Japanese, the creature symbolizes wisdom, longevity and luck. It is supposed to bring to its holder at least 10,000 years of good fortune. As in Chinese culture, the reptile of magic powers is attributed to the reptile. The animal's shell represents the sky and its plastron earth.🌏
In Japanese culture, we also find this myth of the four sacred creatures. Their goal is to protect the city of Heian (Kyoto). The black turtle or gen-bu, sometimes represented as a combination of a turtle and a snake, protects Kyoto from the north.
c. Turtle cult in India 🇮🇳
The meaning of Tortoise in Hinduism is important. In several stories, we regularly speak of “Akupara”. This mystical figure would be a turtle that supports the earth and the sea on its back.🐢
In popular Hinduism, the Vishnou god has several avatars which are the reincarnation of the divinity on earth. One two is a Giant turtle named Kûrma. Several temples in India are dedicated to avatar Kurma.
As in other Asian cultures, India is no exception and also associates The Turtle Plastron in the Earth's world and its shell in the celestial world. The Brahmana Shatapatha (old religious text) describes the world as the body of Kurmaraja, the "King of Turtles".
"The earth is its plastron, the atmosphere its body, and the vault of the heavens its shell." In Hindu culture, the reptile is illustrated as raising 4 elephants, on which the earth rests. The Hindus say that The elephant symbolizes man and turtles femininity.
2) The turtle in African culture
For Africans, the turtle is associated with fertility, it is the embodiment of femininity. In many African children's tales, the creature is considered to be the smartest animal that is 🧐.
In Nigerian folklore, it is described as a slow but very cunning reptile which always finds a solution to each situation, even the most dangerous.
In Egyptian history, turtles were often present in artistic works. We have also found a large number of fossils, Some being very similar to the turtles of the galapagos.
📜 In several Egyptian frescoes and writings, the creature is associated with protection. We attribute him mystical powers who are supposed to keep evil away. Several ancient objects such as amulets or vases in its effigy were found during archaeological excavations.
3) Turtle symbol in Europe
There are few philosophical and symbolic traces on the turtle in European and Western culture. The most notable are identifiable in the writings of Ancient Greece. We can notably cite the very famous fable of esop: The hare and the turtle.
Other important elements have also been identified in Greek history. We know for example that the reptile was the main symbol of the city of Egine. Seals and pieces struck in the image of the turtle has been found on site.
Another important story, that of Chélona and Zeus. Chélone was a nymph in Greek mythology, she was changed in turtle by Zeus after refusing to go to the wedding of her marriage⚡. It’s also Chélona who is behind the word ”Chélonian ” (Scientific name attributed to turtles).
4) Symbolism of the turtle in America
A.The turtle among the Amerindians
The turtle is a Sacred figure in Amerindian belief. It symbolizes the mother earth. It is equivalent to good health and eternal life. According to legends of Indian Aboriginals, it plays an important role in the Creation of the world. A story says that a turtle would have swam to the bottom of the water to rise to the surface with the "mud" which would have been used for the manufacture of the earth 🌎. The thick and solid shell of the reptile represents protection. This was used for the purposes of healing Or for spiritual rites.
Myths say that this animal would have saved men flood. . The Amerindians had found that certain species of turtles have 13 sections on their plastron. They thought it represented the thirteen moles cycle. For Indians, the moon is a strong celestial symbol which is synonymous with Maternity. 🌓
THE Amerindian patterns of the turtle were represented on many objects such as tipis, totems, musical instruments, clothing and war painting. It is now possible to perpetuate this tradition by carrying the Turtle in totem animal on everyday accessories.
b. The tortoise at the Mayans
For the Mayan people, this creature symbolizes The alliance of water and earth. Many writings seem to give great importance to the shells. These are often tidy and to noise. We know, for example, that the reptile shell could be associated with some spiritual rites And would have served as a musical instrument in certain contexts. An illustration of the Borgia codex (Maya manuscript) represents a turtle that plays the drum. 🥁
Pauahtun is a Mayan deity having brought the world on his shoulders. It is sometimes represented with A turtle shell on the head. The god of corn (ah mun) is illustrated as leaving a shell.
📚 This information is taken from the book "The gods and the symbol of the old Mexico and the Mayans" by M.Miller and K.Aube.
5) The Polynesian turtle and its meaning
has. Meaning of the turtle in Hawaii and Tahiti🌸
Known in Polynesia under the name "Honu", the animal is a symbol of luck, endurance and longevity (yes, yes, again!). Honu is perceived as A “browser” supposed to guide men in life as in death. The turtle meaning in Tahiti is significantly the same. Each island of Polynesia sharing A common story, we find the same stories and legends.
Hawaiian legend is dotted with stories on the reptile, the most famous is that of The "Kauila" turtle. She could change as a girl to monitor the children who were playing on the Punalu'u beach. Other stories tell how the first people who arrived in Hawaii were guided to the islands by the Honu. 🏝️
The green turtles are the most common sea turtles in Hawaii and their number increases thanks to the conservation efforts that have been made.
b. Explanation of Polynesian turtle tattooing
Polynesian tattoos are very famous, among the best known we can cite the Maori turtle tattoo or the Tribal tattoo tattoo. These are still very present in modern culture. These tattoos come from a Polynesian art of 1000 years old which is called The “Marquisian” (Name from the island of the Marquise).
To understand the origin of these tattoos, you should know that Polynesia was populated by many tribes who did not have a writing system. Tattooing was the only art of expression that alloweddisplay its social status and his personality. It is following European excursions in the 18th century that Polynesian tattooing will be exported to Europe and will enjoy great popularity (especially with sailors).
🐢 And the turtle in all of this? In Polynesian beliefs, being tattooed a turtle means that you grant a great importance to health, fertility and everything that represents the foundations of life.
6) Meaning of the turtle turtle totem
In the cult of Animal totems, the turtle teaches how to move forward in peace and face the trials of life serenely. Slow on firm land, but terribly agile in aquatic environment, this reptile encourages to take a break in life and to be looking for different, “unexplored” solutions. She invites nourish peace of mind And harmony with the environment. Its symbolism comes down in these few points:
- Ability to keep your feet on the ground, even in moments of doubt
- Take your time to think, to question yourself
- Determination and perseverance in any tests
- Emotional empathy and great understanding
- Very developed wisdom
7) Meaning of the Turtle Dream 💤
Turtle dreams are quite common. They are subject to numerous interpretations in the area of experts “Oniric world”. Be careful however, a dream can have many meanings. All these interpretations are therefore to be taken with tweezers and you are free to believe or not.
has. Dream of a giant turtle🐢
Dreaming of giant turtles (or a large turtle) often corresponds to clean questioning from its place in the world. This can characterize how tiny we are in relation to the universe and that we are subject to external events whether positive or negative.
b. Sea turtle dream🌊
Dreaming of a sea turtle is usually a good sign. It should be noted that the marine turtle has a strong meaning and symbolism (especially in Polynesian culture as seen above). If in your dream you were playing with a turtle or that you were yourself a turtle, it means that you are going receive the blessing and help those around you.
c. Dream of a dead turtle☠️
Dreaming of a dead turtle is rarely good omen, especially if you break the shell or you eat it. In the first case, this provides for a unpleasant event who will arrive soon. In the second case, this is the possible loss of one of your protectors.
d. Turtle dream in Islam☪️
In Islamic culture, turtle dreams often means that you try to hide something. Often this kind of dream encourages you to open up and show courage. They can also refer to boredom in your daily life (the slowness of the reptile being an allegory) or even refer to fertility. To find out more about the subject, you can consult this article on Dreams Tortoise in Islam.
TO CONCLUDE
After reading this article, you will have understood: Most of the old civilizations devoted a great fascination for the turtle. The animal has long been venerated in many regions of the globe. The most notable common point remains that the turtle is very often associated with the creation of the world.
It is legitimate to wonder why so many cultures so diverse, sometimes far from several thousand kilometers, have developed such similar beliefs. We are not here to debate that but it is clear that history is very mysterious ... Even when it comes to turtle😉
PS : Promised thing, thing, that's your surprise:
