Tortoise

One of the “Four Auspicious” beasts in Chinese culture, the tortoise (gui 龟), or turtle, is a sign of longevity due to its long life span, as well as strength and endurance. The tortoise is associated with the north and winter. As its arch-like shell is compared to heaven and its flat underside to earth, the tortoise is said to conceal the secrets of the universe. In the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600-1046BCE), its shell underside (plastron) was used for divination (predicting the future). Any image or design relating to a tortoise/turtle is a wish for a long life. The tortoise is associated with Zhenwu who stands on the back of a tortoise entwined with a snake.