Turtle
The turtle denotes world-support, heaven-earth union, longevity, and harvest success, but also slowness, sensuality, cowardice, drought, and hostility to the sun.
Our paraphrase of what the sources say it carries.
At a glance
- Type
- Symbol
- Borne by
- 6 figures (4 are this, 2 carry it)
- Traditions
- Japanese folklore (2)Chinese mythology (1)French folklore (1)Indian folklore (1)
Figures that bear it
A model judged each figure against its own description, one term at a time. Is: the figure is a kind of this thing. Bears: it carries the thing or is marked by it. What a figure does is filed under motifs and powers. Open "why" for the sentence the judgement rests on.
- Akupara is Indian folklore
why
Some tellings extend the image further, describing the tortoise as itself resting upon something else, such as a serpent or the cosmic waters, producing a stacked picture of support beneath support that mythographers have compared to similar world-turtle motifs found in other traditions.
- Aspidochelone is
why
In medieval tales, Aspidochelone is a gigantic sea turtle that mimics an island.
- Dragon Turtle is Chinese mythology
why
In Chinese folklore, the Dragon Turtle is a hybrid creature.
- Minogame is Japanese folklore
why
In Japanese folklore, this sea turtle is known for its long, algae-covered tail symbolizing longevity.
- Kappa bears Japanese folklore
why
The Kappa is typically described as a small, child-sized humanoid with a turtle-like shell on its back, webbed hands and feet, a beak-like mouth, and scaly or slimy greenish skin.
- Tarasque bears French folklore
why
Some accounts even describe it as having a turtle-like shell on its back, adding to its formidable defenses.