Why was the tortoise regarded as a spirit beast in ancient times?

Tortoise, commonly known as tortoise, refers to all members of the tortoise and is the oldest reptile in existence. It is characterized by a very strong carapace on its body. When attacked, turtles can retract their heads, tails and limbs into their carapace. Most sea turtles are carnivores, feeding on worms, snails, shrimp and small fish, as well as stems and leaves of plants. Turtles are turtles that can usually live on land and in water, and can also live in the sea for a long time. Turtles are also long-lived animals, and their life span in the natural environment exceeds 100 years.

Turtles can live on land and in water, which is beyond the reach of most animals. This kind of turtle has a long life, and it is an elephant turtle that lives on islands in the equatorial region. It can live for three or four hundred years. Therefore, the ancient people thought that the turtle had a large activity space and long experience, which was a symbol of longevity. Therefore, the ancients believed that the turtle was the intermediary between man and God, through which we could understand God's will, get God's blessing and respect for the turtle. Tortoise shell is an instrument used by the ancients to predict good or bad luck. If people often burn the tortoise and observe its cracks, it will inevitably produce a feeling of mystery and awe.

During the Guangxu period of Qing Dynasty, Wang, a epigraphist, accidentally discovered the ancient Chinese characters on the "keel" piece (tortoise shell), which was later Oracle Bone Inscriptions. It may be because the tortoise walks slowly and often relies on its very effective defense, and its image is not good. People in China sometimes call names "turtles". However, due to its longevity, the tortoise has become one of the four gods in China. Li Yun said, "What are the Four Spirits? A rare dragon turtle is called Siling.

Song Dynasty's Notes to Thirteen Classics says: "Like things, there are elephants in the sky ... Lin, phoenix, dragon and turtle are collectively called the Four Spirits."

"Tales of Different Things" contains: "A thousand years of turtle hair, five thousand years of living is called a god turtle, and ten thousand years of living is called a spirit turtle".

"Bao Puzi on Immortals" contains: "It is said that life will die, and turtles and cranes will live long. Knowing the longevity of the turtle crane is effective in guiding it to increase the year. "

"Luo Shu" said: "Linggui is the essence of the five-color god, and can see life and death better than good or bad."

"HongFan. "The Five Elements" said: "The tortoise has spoken for a long time, and the chitose knows the good and evil of this beast." Huai Nanzi: "Good or bad luck must be asked to the turtle, because good or bad luck lasts for a long time."