In ancient China, the tortoise was sometimes used as part of a fortune-telling ritual based on studying the cracks made on the flat part of the shell by heated iron bars.

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In ancient China, the tortoise was sometimes used as part of a fortune-telling ritual based on studying the cracks made on the flat part of the shell by heated iron bars.

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Source: Chevalier and Gheerbrant, The Penguin Dictionary of Symbols

Stone Tortoise Carrying Epitaph Steles

China & Japan: David Owsley Asian Art Gallery»

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