Turtles are an ancient species, thought to be at least 200 million years old. Legends and myths about them are found around the world.
In North American, many Native American tribes included the turtle in their symbolism and folklore. The Lakota assigned a key role to the turtle in reviving the world after the great flood. It was the turtle that dived deep enough to bring back the mud from which the Great Spirit made humans and rebuilt the earth. (The loon, the otter and the beaver had all tried and failed.) In Ojibwe myth, other animals retrieved the mud, piling it on the back of the turtle to make the world. The Sioux believed the world is a huge sea turtle floating on the waters. Other cultures also assigned the turtle the role of supporting the world on his back, including the Chinese.
The turtle often is a symbol of strength and endurance. In Chinese myth, it is the indestructible, undefeatable Black Warrior. But for the South American Aztecs, the turtle was a symbol of cowardice and boastfulness – its hard exterior hid the true, soft nature of the turtle.
For the Romans, the turtle was a source of inspiration that helped explain the success of their armies. Romans soldiers held their shields together over their heads in a “turtle” formation as they attacked an enermy. This Roman invention often gave them the upper hand in battle.
The world now has the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – not quite a myth, but pretty fierce creatures nevertheless!
And then there’s our very own Storybook Quilt [Turtle], who still needs a name. He (or she) doesn’t carry the world on his back, but he does carry Sam and Stanley the Starfish into an exciting adventure! Read more about him and enter the Name the Turtle Contest. There are only 19 days left to give [Turtle] a name and win a Storybook Quilt!
Tags: myths, turtle_theme
