World Turtle
Overview
The World Turtle is a concept present in several world mythologies, including those of India, China, and North America. It depicts the world as being supported or contained by a giant turtle or tortoise. This concept is often associated with the cosmological myths that involve world-bearing creatures.
Origin and Cultural Significance
The World Turtle concept is believed to have originated from ancient religious beliefs and cosmological models. In many cultures, the turtle is considered a symbol of longevity, endurance, and the earth itself. The idea of a World Turtle carrying the earth is a powerful metaphor that represents the interdependence of all life and the balance of nature.
Mythologies
Indian Mythology
In Indian mythology, the World Turtle is known as Akupāra, a Sanskrit term that translates to 'unbounded' or 'infinite'. Akupāra is often depicted as supporting the elephant that carries the world. This concept is closely related to the Hindu cosmological idea of the Chukwa, a giant turtle that supports the world.
Chinese Mythology
In Chinese mythology, the World Turtle is known as Ao, a giant sea turtle that carries the world on its back. Ao is often depicted with the Fenghuang, a mythical bird, and the Dragon, symbolizing balance and harmony in the universe.
Native American Mythology
In various Native American mythologies, the World Turtle plays a significant role. For instance, in Iroquoian mythology, the earth is believed to have been created on the back of a giant turtle, known as the "Turtle Island". This belief is still held by many indigenous tribes, such as the Iroquois and the Anishinaabe.
Scientific Interpretation
The World Turtle concept has also been interpreted in a scientific context. Some scholars suggest that the World Turtle myth could be a metaphorical representation of the tectonic plates of the Earth. The slow movement of the turtle could symbolize the slow drift of these plates.
In Popular Culture
The World Turtle has been referenced in various forms of popular culture. For example, in the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett, the world is carried on the back of a giant turtle named Great A'Tuin. Similarly, in the fantasy series The Dark Tower by Stephen King, a turtle named Maturin is one of the guardians of the beams that hold the universe together.