The turtle has been a part of the cultural history of humans wherever they have coexisted. In ancient myths and legends, the turtle has been revered as a symbol of strength, stability, benevolence and wisdom. Turtle images appeared on Greek coins six centuries before the birth of Christ. In India, the turtle is considered to be the second incarnation of the powerful God Vishnu. Many Native American tribes regard one species or another as sacred. The ancient Maya in Central America, who depended on agriculture for their survival, believed turtles brought the rains to make crops grow. A Chinese myth held that the world was created within the body of an immense turtle –the interior of its plastron contained the oceans upon which the continents of the earth float, and its great, vaulted shell formed the dome of the heavens, complete with stars.
Today the principal interest humans have in turtles is practical or utilitarian. Local people living on the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean
present a newborn child with a giant Aldabra Tortoise. The tortoise is raised
until the child marries, it is then sacrificed and eaten at the wedding feast.
The legendary Greek story, as told by Aesop, illustrates how, through great
determination and discernment, the tortoise wins the race against the hare.
Let us hope the tortoise will now win the race against time.
