Turtle & Sea Turtle Cultural Significance
HERE’S WHY TURTLES ARE MORE THAN JUST ANIMALS?
The spiritualism of many different cultures around the world revolves around sea turtles. The culture and messages that are passed down from one generation to the next across the diverse indigenous civilizations of North, Central, and South America are symbolized by sea turtles.
Sea turtles (and all other kinds of turtles) are a very important species from both evolutionary and cultural perspectives. Particularly in Asia and North America, they play a significant part in numerous mythologies and faiths around the world and are frequently linked to origin myths.
Turtles are a sign of knowledge, longevity, tranquility, and constancy in many world religions, mythologies, and folklore, signifying that both the earth and the sky are carried on the back of the turtle or tortoise in creation stories from others.?
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SEA TURTLE SIGNIFICANCE IN HAWAIIAN CULTURE
Although sea turtles are majestic and attractive, they are more than just eye-catching creatures. The Honu have always been revered as sacred beings by Hawaiians.
The Hawaiian Honu/ Hunu is a symbol of knowledge, good fortune, longevity, safety, and mana (spiritual force in Hawaiian culture), and they are said to live for between 60 and 80 years. Their presence is said to bring luck and calm.
SEA TURTLE SIGNIFICANCE IN JAPANESE CULTURE?
The 'chelonian', or turtle/tortoise as we know of, is a representation of prosperity and longevity in Japanese mythology due to turtles' lengthy lifespans, as well as 'the earth and the skies'; the flat portion of the lower shell representing the world, and the dome of the upper shell the skies, making up the tortoise's representation of heaven and earth. ?
SEA TURTLE SIGNIFICANCE IN CHINA
Numerous accounts from China attest to the turtle's significance as a symbol. The earliest records of writing in China date back more than 3500 years
The Black Tortoise or Black Warrior, a turtle with a snake coiled around it, represents the Northern Constellation in Chinese culture. As a result, turtle statues or motifs are frequently found in Chinese homes. It is thought that a single turtle figure or picture will provide wealth, prosperity, and support to the family.
SEA TURTLE SIGNIFICANCE IN INDIA
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In Hindu mythology, four elephants perched atop a turtle holding the globe. Akupara is a tortoise who bears the globe on his back in Hinduism, supporting both the sea and the earth.
The tortoise is a representation of both serenity and longevity.
SEA TURTLE SIGNIFICANCE IN VIETNAM
The tortoise, or 'rùa', in Vietnamese culture and history, holds a significant place. It is a representation of enduring power, intellect, and strength.
Legend has it that Le Loi, the emperor of Vietnam, received a miraculous sword from the Golden Turtle God, according to a legend, and he used it to fight many successful wars against the Ming Dynasty, leading to the Vietnamese victory against Chinese the empire in the 15th century.
In conclusion, in the majority of cultures, both turtles and turtles represent life and the earth, which is a result of these turtles' extended lifespans. They also stand for endurance, sagacity, and knowledge, and are regarded as creatures of endurance and strength due to their enormous strength. Even though they are aquatic reptiles, they can spend a considerable amount of time on land, as happens when females are laying their eggs.
As explained in the text and as proven in several cultural aspects throughout the centuries, these precious creatures and their protection, vitality, and survival, are highly important for our ecosystem. Just like any other beings, turtles and sea turtles have their own key functions to perform in the environment, contributing to the overall equilibrium of the biosphere.
As per our company name, The Happy Turtle Straw, we kindly yet pressingly urge and invite our readers and customers to learn more about turtles, their uniqueness, their importance to our earth, and the urgency to protect them at all costs.
The ideation of this company was founded on the basis of all the different harms caused to turtles due to water pollution (mainly the unethical use of plastic wastes and other materials), and so by reading our articles and engaging with us more, you can hopefully help us contribute to this great cause!
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