Tortoise oracle
Tortoise oracle. Ancient Chinese method of divination, similar in antiquity and use to the oracle bones. Unlike the latter, however, the tortoise oracle was not forgotten to later Chinese history and in fact enjoyed considerable fame in art, literature, and philosophy. The cosmic tortoise is known from ancient myths as the foundation of the world, but it is from traditions which coalesced around the I Ching (Book of Changes) that the sacred and mysterious significance of the tortoise is largely derived. The legend that the earth is supported by a tortoise is apparently attributable to the Lieh-Tzu; other legends explain the symbolism of the tortoise as more fully cosmic, since the round and vaulted shell represents the heavens, the flat underside the square earth with the four legs denoting the four quarters of earth.
More From encyclopedia.com
Hollow Earth , Edmund Halley (1656–1742) is best known for having calculated the orbit of a comet that passes by Earth every 76 years. The comet known as Halley's m… Terrestrial Planet , Skip to main content
terrestrial planet
terrestrial planet, the earth or a planet that resembles the earth in its physical characteristics. The terre… Planetary Science , CONCEPT
The term planetary science encompasses a whole range of studies involving a combination of earth sciences and astronomy. Sometimes known as p… Historical Geology , CONCEPT
Geologists are concerned primarily with two subjects: Earth's physical features and the study of the planet's history. These two principal br… Gaia Hypothesis , The Gaia (pronounced guy-ah) hypothesis is the idea that Earth is a living organism and can regulate its own environment. This idea argues that Earth… Earth , Imagine that you are describing planet Earth to someone who has never seen it. How would you describe its appearance? What would you say about it? Wh…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Tortoise oracle