Celtic Turtle Symbology
Contest Winner: Tell Us What the Turtle Means To You
Celtic Turtle Symbology
In Celtic history and lore the turtle is known as the keeper to the doors of the faerie realm. Turtles sense vibrations through water and through their skin and shell, they are amazing survivors; with very good hearing and sense of smell. From "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews, "If turtle has shown up, it is time to get connected to your most primal essence. Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed. It is time to recognize that there is an abundance out there for you." In the modern story of the tortoise and the hare, the turtle represents patience, tenacity, and longevity. The turtle uses its hard exterior shell as a means to carry the troubles of the world on its back, as well as to protect itself from harm. The turtle is an earth wanderer, grounded, and sure in its footing.
Contest Winner: Tell Us What the Turtle Means To You
We asked you to tell us what Turtle means to you, both here and on our Facebook page, and there were so many interesting and heartfelt stories. The one that captured our hearts the most is by S. Treadwell, whose winning post is this:
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"I am a member of the Long Island Unkechaug, a tribe of fisherman who were 'the turtle clan' and saw the turtle in our native lore as the bedrock under the oceans that created the continents that we live on. The "mother earth" to many is the back of a massive sea turtle, with the dirt and ground being what she pulled up from the depths of the ocean so we could live. It is a powerful, spiritual, and very significant symbol in Native american lore, especially to my tribe."
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104 Comments
they are slow moving the way to take life, slow and easy, but they are also beautiful . and means good luck. to have one.
Congratulations Barb – you are a runner up in our turtle contest. Please email janet@celticjewelry.com with your email address so we can send you a gift certificate at celticjewelry.com
The funny thing is as a child growing up in Ireland I had no idea about turtles. It was really moving here to the states that I came to see turtles. Lately, cycling in spring through the South Dakota prairie I look for them perched on a log and I wait for their quick jump as they sense my bike approaching on the road. I think they symbolize the newness and escape from the prairie winters grip. Newness and new life, just as my bees buzz out of their hive, the turtle heralds another spring full of promise and great bike rides!
Congratulations Alan – you are a runner up in our turtle contest. Please email janet@celticjewelry.com with your email address so we can send you a gift certificate at celticjewelry.com
Turtles remind me of a few things but mainly, they remind me of Delilah.
Delilah was my mother-in-law. She loved turtles. Flower was her turtle.
I was driving her somewhere a few years ago when I spotted a turtle crossing the road. She immediately said stop – STOP! Then she got out of the car and grabbed that turtle. She named the turtle Flower because of where we found it – by the side of the road during autumn, when the sunflowers and asters are in full bloom. A few of us in the family took turns taking care of it when she could not, but for the most part that turtle was with her until the day she died. That of course was a very sad event for the family. On her burial plaque they had engraved a rainbow, some flowers and a turtle – just a few of her favorite things. The turtle died a few years later and was actually buried with her in the family plot.
So to this day when I see a turtle, it reminds me of rainbows and flowers, but mainly turtles remind me of my second mom, Delilah.