As a group, turtles are more ancient than any other vertebrate animal. Turtles are usually distinguished from tortoises in that tortoises are land bound.
Turtles live in and around the water.
A great deal of mythology exists in regard to the turtle. In the Far East, the shell was a symbol of heaven, and the square underside was a symbol of earth. The turtle was an animal whose magic could help you unite heaven and earth within your own life. A symbol of the turtle was an invitation for the blessings of both heaven and earth. The turtle is a shore creature, using the land and the water.