In
ancient myths and legends, the turtle is almost always seen as a symbol of strength,
stability, benevolence, and wisdom.
Turtles
have roamed the earth for 200 million years. They survived the extinction of
the dinosaurs who were wiped out 60 million years ago.
In
another Chinese myth, an immense turtle actually became the world, which is
contained within his shell. The bottom, flat part of his shell (the plastron)
contained the oceans and the earth's floor. The great, domed upper half (the
carapace) formed the heavens, complete with stars and planets.
Did
you know that....
American
Indians probably created the greatest number of folk tales in which the turtle
plays an important role. For many tribes, the land on which they lived was the
back of a huge "mother turtle," floating in a vast, primal sea.
Ancient
Greeks regarded the turtle as sacred, and even believed their gods felt the
same way. Of course, the legendary Greek storyteller, Aesop, is credited with
the well-known fable in which a tortoise, through determination and wisdom,wins
a race with a hare.
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