The whole world put between to shells: The cosmic symbolism of tortoises and turtles

Abstract

Since the Bronze Age turtles and tortoises were related to a cosmic symbolism by ancient cultures in different parts of the world, with a certain concentration in the northern hemisphere. The paper attempts to categorize aspects of the cosmic turtle symbolism, using mainly an ethnoastronomical approach, partly supported by archaeological evidences. As a result a set of concepts can be identified, which are related to cosmologic, cosmogonic, biological, and psychological aspects.