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THE TORTOISEIn Mesopotamian Mythology the turtle was associated with the god Ea and was used on a Kudurru as a symbol of Ea. In Hindu mythology the world is thought to rest on the backs of four elephants, who stand on the shell of a turtle. In Hinduism, Akupara is a tortoise who carries the world on his back. It upholds the earth and the sea. One avatar of Vishnu is said to be the giant turtle Kurma. In China, the tortoise is one of the "Four Fabulous Animals", the most prominent beasts of China and representing the four cardinal points. It is of the water element. The Turtle is a reptilian of the Order Testudines. The body is shielded by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs for protection from predators. Its legendary long lifespan, turtles can reach hundread years and more, and its shell, which was thought to protect it from any foe explains its | |||||||||
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