Turtle with Shell Carnelian/Serpentine

TURTLE

Turtle has the gift of finding inner wisdom. It is filled with the magic of intuition. It is long-lived and wise. It is resilient and determined.

Turtle is an amphibian that belongs to the order Testudines. It’s characterized by an outer ventral and dorsal shell made of modified bone. It is omnivorous, feeding on plants and plankton. It has highly impacted the human race throughout history.  It has been everything from a source of food to a pet in different cultures. It is important in mythology of cultures all over the world. It has been said to symbolize wisdom, knowledge, water, the moon, the earth, time, immortality, fertility, and creation. It was prominent in African folklore. In ancient Egypt, it was a common theme in artistic work. It was associated with the Egyptian god of the underworld, Set. It was associated with Ea, the Mesopotamian god of wisdom and magic. In ancient Rome and Greece, it was associated with the goddesses of fertility and love, Venus and Aphrodite. It was used by Aesop in his famous fable The Tortoise and the Hare. In India, it is treated with great reverence. The god Vishnu appeared as an avatar in the form of Kurma, a giant Turtle. In Indian tradition, the world rests on the backs of four Elephants that stand on Turtle. It’s considered sacred in China. It is one of the four fabulous animals and an element necessary for Feng Shui. In Japan it is one of the four guardian beasts that protect humans from evil. In Native American culture the Turtle has always been important to humankind. It represents Mother Earth and the principle of peace making. It symbolizes good health and long life. It is a part of many creation myths. In the Sufi branch of Islam, baby Turtle returning to the sea represents the return of man to god.

A Turtle totem brings long life and peaceful living. It enhances the ability to savor the moment and live life to its fullest. It is endowed with abundant wisdom and has the ability to understand the great mysteries of the universe. It allows one to live in the moment. Turtle has great insight that allows it to understand the world around it.

A Turtle vision or dream may be a warning to stay true to your path. It may be a reminder to be at peace with your choices. It may also be a hint that you are carrying too much weight on your shoulders, and you should put down the negative. It may be a reminder to use your head and stay grounded.