What does a turtle represent?

The Chinese traditionally see the tortoise as a supporter of the world, its four feet being the four corners of earth.

In Mongolian myths, the central mountain of the universe is carried on the back of a golden turtle.

To many Africians, the tortoise is generally a symbol of wisdom, skill, power, often depicted as a trickster figure.

In Hindu tradition, the world rests on the back of an elephant, a male solar symbol, which in turn stands upon a tortoise, a feminine lunar symbol.

The Iroquois of North America believe they are descended from a turtle that rid itself of its shell.

Other Native American tribes see the turtle as a symbol of endurance and persistance.

In Greek mythology the turtule was a symbol of the god Hermes, one of the 12 Olympian gods.