Folk tales relate the legendary longevity of turtles. The ancient Chinese believed that a turtle named Kwei created the universe and determined China's fate. The Chinese Book of Rites labeled the turtle as one of the four benevolent spirit animals. Turtles were regarded as symbols of righteousness. Bones from turtle shells were used to tell fortunes and the future.
Hindu myths imagine the universe being upheld by four elephants standing on a turtle's back.
Turtles are also found in Native American tales and religion. Several tribes believed that the world was merely an island on the back of a turtle. At that time, the world was covered with water. Locv saved the other creatures from drowning by teaching them to swim. Locv also brought mud to the surface and formed dry land.