What does it mean to see a snake carved on the back of a sculpture turtle?

It is one of the four gods in ancient China mythology, Xuanwu.

Xuanwu, also known as tortoise and snake, is a kind of spiritual thing composed of tortoise and snake. Xuanwu originally meant Xuanming, and the ancient sounds of Wu and Ming are interlinked. Turtles and snakes were regarded as sacred animals in ancient China, symbolizing longevity. Before the Han Dynasty, nobles wore jade turtles. Now, influenced by ancient China, turtle patterns are often used to name and make emblems.

Extended data

Legend:

In ancient mythology of China, the four great beasts were Qinglong, Baihu, Suzaku and Xuanwu. Xuanwu, also called Xuanming, is a combination of tortoise and snake. It is the water god, living in Beihai, and the tortoise lives long. Xuan Ming has become a symbol of immortality, and the underworld is also in the north, so it is the god of the north. On behalf of Zhuan Xu and the seven nights in the north, it is the northern god. Xuanwu is different from other three spirits because it can ask divination in the underworld. It is called the God of Tian Xuan and the "Zhenwu Emperor", and it is the god worshipped by Taoism.

Xuanwu was upgraded to the "Zhenwu Emperor" in the north by later Taoist priests. Different from the other three spirits. Other green dragons and white tigers only became the gatekeepers of the mountain temple, and Zhu Bird became the Xuan Nv of another day. It is often said by later generations that during the reign of Yang Di, the Jade Emperor became one of his three souls, Empress Lezheng, tired of the world, abandoned Wudang Mountain for practice, and successfully ascended to heaven, defended the north and lived in Xuanwu, posthumous title. The story of Zhenwu Emperor It is often said that during the reign of Yang Di, the Jade Emperor reincarnated one of his three souls into the Empress Lezheng and became a prince after birth.

According to legend, the prince of King Gu Jingle came from a mighty family and traveled to the East China Sea. He was given a sword by the gods and went to Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province to practice. After 42 years of success, it rose during the day and became the Xuanwu king of Weizhen North.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Xuanwu

Baidu Encyclopedia-Four Great Beasts