The Mythological Significance of Turtles

Shetu, sheta, ayotl, ak, tuki, mistletoe, kame, suppon, Kasyapa, as well as the more familiar honu, chelone, and testudo are all words that have been used since prehistoric times to refer to an animal - the turtle. This is not surprising considering that the turtle is one of the first animals to lend its traits to the world of myth.

Both prehistoric and ancient men believed that animals preceded and outsmarted them, and therefore attempted to emulate their behavior. Early humans believed that gods and other higher beings, such as cultural heroes and tribal ancestors, manifested themselves through animals to teach them all about the mysterious ways of life.

The turtle is no exception: over time, various cultures have praised its resilience, patience and wisdom as qualities to look for and, as such, have incorporated the shelled animal into their mythologies. respective. As a long-lived, hard-shelled animal, the turtle has become the perfect guardian of the world, while his excellent swimming abilities have made him the creator of the perfect world. For the Mesoamerican peoples, the connection between the land and the hard shell of the turtle was even more complex, as the latter was seen as the magical place where the dead dwell and from which they can resurrect. Some cultures, such as the Chinese, believed that the beautiful markings on the turtle shell contained the deep mysteries of the universe and helped spark the invention of writing.

Looking intently at the night sky, many cultures have imagined the shape of the turtle standing out against the multitude of stars, and entire stories of gods, heroes and wonderful adventures have been woven around the figure of the sea. shelled animal.

Mostly viewed positively, the turtle sometimes played the role of trickster and was even considered a malicious being. The case of ancient Egypt is best suited to illustrate this point: due to the damage it caused to people's livelihoods and its gloomy demeanor, the Nile's soft shell was considered an evil being. The ancient Egyptians feared it and wore turtle-shaped amulets to protect themselves from the demonic powers of the turtle.

However, the appearance of a turtle was not the only traits that populated primitive and ancient mythology; its non-physical characteristics were also important. For the Romans, the patience of a turtle and especially tranquility were considered essential qualities of the perfect and submissive wife.

Even though the specifics of its symbolism may escape us now, the turtle's long lifespan and sense of wisdom are elements that are still recognizable today as they were long ago, back then. prehistoric.