Gods associated with turtles?

[DragonDawn]

I was just wondering if anyone knows what gods are associated with turtles.
I've done alittle research but haven't been able to find much.
thanks

[Mnemosyne]

Here this site is interesting. It has a table with symbols associated with the deities. If you look, you notice that a few gods and goddesses are associated with the turtle. http://www.geocities.com/berkanna_dragonstar/deity.html

[Armitage]

I think there was a Chinese god that was associated with or WAS a turtle with the world on it's back...Can't remember the name though.

[Mnemosyne]

Yeah, I know that the turtle was special in Chinese mythology. I don't know of a specific deity that was associated with the turtle though. :(

Here is an interesting link about the turtle in Chinese culture though. http://www.sinorama.com.tw/8506/506090e1.html

Here is a link about the turtle in Chinese mythology.

about:blank

http://www.geocities.com/goldieramos/mythology.html

[Asherah]

I was able to find this:

Awehai Iroquoi goddess


Awehai, also of the Iroquois, was goddess of family and tribes, sky and heavens, reptiles, Creatrix. She is the creator deity. Wife of Hanowendjiawagi (Dehavenjawa) and mother of Gaendeson. alt form Atansic and Awenhai. (pg 359)
Awehai was originally a celestial being, but was thrown out of the skies by her husband, who thought she had been unfaithful. As she was falling she caught seeds and animals, carrying them with her. As she neared the endless water below, winged creatures slowed her descent and guided her to the back of the Great Turtle. On the turtle's back they gathered dirt and the earth was formed. Awehai scattered the seeds and let the animals run free. When the seeds sprouted and Awehai saw how beautiful the earth was, she produced children, the Iroquois



(ancient mirrors of womanhood) by merlin stone.



and this:

Nu Kwa or Nu gua


http://www.pantheon.org/articles/n/nu-gua.html


hope it helps.

[DragonDawn]

You know turtles are almost everywhere it seems, and you'd think that more of the western gods would be associated with them. In all of the articles i've read seems that the gods that are associated with them have been asian for the most part. I don't know i find that kind odd.

I want to say that I read somewhere that turtles were considered evil or bad luck by the egyptians.

[Mnemosyne]

To be honest, I don't see turtles everywhere. I too don't know of many Western deities associated with turtles. The turtle was really important to the ancient Chinese. Remember that they used the tortoise shells for divination. Since the turtle is an important animal in China and other Asian lands, the turtle is associated more with the deities.

I believe that the turtle was good luck to the Egyptians. Turtle bones have been found near ceremonial sites and pop up in their art. Here is a link on turtles in ancient Egypt. The link is kind of scholarly (kind of dry). Maybe you will find it of an interest. http://members.xoom.virgilio.it/francescoraf/hesyra/egypt/turtles.htm

[DragonDawn]

Oops my mistake about turtles in egypt i guess 8O

I guess we've just got a big population around here.

[Gwion]

GAMERA!