Among animal tattoos, tattoo turtle is an important part of its strong symbolic value in many cultures. This is probably the oldest animal symbol. Containing symbolic aspec, the tattoo turtle influenced various cultures around the globe. This fluence also present in our Western societies, the turtle is especially known for its slowness, it has not always been so. In the East, turtles symbolism is to prevent the danger of upsetting the tide: it represents wisdom, longevity, and immortality

China is probably the most often using the turtle symbols as a general symbol of wisdom, longevity, protection, wealth, happiness and prosperity. Chinese tradition attributes to the grounds of his shell all the secrets of heaven and earth. The turtle is well regarded in China as a divine messenger bringing the keys of the universe to humanity. Moreover, we find the shell of the turtle in the art of divination scapulimancy, particularly in the Shang Dynasty, which is an examination of the bones in order to predict the future. Because of turtles longe life span, it assigns to the shell of the turtle crossing the virtues ages. Turtle is often represented in China with a crane with a lotus flower in its beak on its back. The two animals together represent a symbol of happiness, sincere feelings, bringing thousands of years in the lives of their respective long-lasting protection. The black turtle is one of the four sacred animals to the powers of ancient China with the dragon, Qilin and Phoenix, along with the element of water, the season of winter and the north cardinal point.

We find this combination of four animal powers at the origin of the 5 elements in the Japanese tradition occultist, and the duality of the crane and the tortoise, respectively symbols of freedom and detachment of the mind to the events of the world, symbol of commitment to the earth making the link with the ways of heaven. Feng Shui also involves the turtle longevity, strength, assigning an important role in the destiny. The presence of a representation of the tortoise in a house protects and promotes a long and favorable for its occupants and provides them fortune.

Polynesian Turtle Tattoo Designs and Meaning

In many tribal cultures strongly associated with tattooing, there is a consequence of the representations of the turtle as an animal totem or sacred. Turtles as animals are considered sacred in the Pacific Islands as ancestors, allies, as in Samoa where she is venerated as the spirit of the god of the family. Emblem of Bora Bora, turtle tattoos symbols represent the fertility, longevity and wisdom in the Tuamotu archipelago, there are traces of representation of turtles in Fiji, or pottery and petroglyphs original Maori, symbolic designs carved in stone. We can now understand the importance of turtle tattoo in Polynesian culture, with tribal patterns that make a tortoise shell based, for example, on the cross Marquesan.

The comb attached to a wooden handle and used by the traditional Polynesian tattoo artists can also have teeth made ​​of bone or tortoise shell,

Many clans including turtles have lived in India to Oceania. The turtle is found in many Native American populations for which it represents the origin of man, Mother Earth Mother. The Iroquois see the world like a giant turtle floating on the sea Again the turtle carries the world on its carapace, as in the work of writer Terry Pratchett

Turtle tattoo ideas

There are legends that tell Lenape and Delaware that man is descended from a turtle, hampered by its shell, and get rid of it becomes human. Delaware Indians are on the walls of their home grounds for turtles to protect it. For the Zuni Indian turtles also the first man down. They are sacrificed at ceremonies in his honor, sacrifices associated with ancestor worship and rain.

In Mexico, the turtle for some pre-Columbian civilizations were a symbol of the cult of the element of water

India, the tortoise Kurma is for Hindus the second avatar of Vishnu, his second incarnation down to earth to save mankind and lead the way men

Is a less glorious to see the turtle, because of its fickle side, from laying eggs from island to island, as a symbol of infidelity and cuckolded, highlighted by the dichotomy between his attachment to the land represented by square motifs in his belly and his attraction to the sky with its domed shell.

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