A great deal of mythology surrounds the turtle. Because the turtle carries its round shell over the ground, like heaven, and has a flat bottom, like earth, it became known as an animal whose magic united heaven and earth. Also linked to the moon and water, the turtle symbolizes fertility, steady determination and long life.

The Chinese and the Indians have a legend that the world is supported by four elephants standing on a giant turtle.

To the Native Americans, turtles were associated with the lunar cycle and the power of the female energies. The turtle symbolizes the primal mother and Mother Earth.