What do the old turtle-carrying stone tablets in many temples in ancient times mean?

It is very common to see old turtles carrying stone tablets in temples. The Turtle Tuo Stone Stele is often called the "Wangbatuo Stone Stele" among the people. It is usually carved from stone or white marble. Legend has it that it has the functions of warding off evil spirits and protecting the house, making it immortal, and blocking water and disasters. People usually believe that it has an auspicious meaning, not only protecting the temple but also stabilizing the soil and water.

So they are often placed in temples as sacred beasts or other places that need to be protected, such as next to some bridges, next to the entrance to traffic arteries, cemeteries, etc.

The Turtle Tuo Stone Stele only looks like a turtle, but it is actually a mythical beast. If you look closely, it's not exactly the same as a turtle. There are several legends about this mythical beast, but it is a legend after all, and I personally think it is enough to understand it.

The most common saying is that the old turtle is one of the sons of the dragon called "Bi Xi". It is the strongest and always has endless energy. Legend has it that it helped Dayu control floods and made great contributions. Seeing how powerful it was, Dayu was afraid that it would cause trouble, so in order to put some restraints on it, he carried a huge stone tablet on its back with a record of its achievements as an excuse.

The stone tablet is very heavy, so its movement is restricted, and over time it will no longer be able to move. It inspires people that it is extremely powerful, carrying the stone tablet will never fall, and its reputation will be passed down through the ages.

Because it looks like a turtle, people later placed a turtle carrying a stone tablet (with scriptures or historical achievements engraved on the stone tablet) at a certain location in temples or other buildings, which meant that it would never fall. Inherited from generation to generation. In this way, through historical inheritance, the Turtle Tuo Stone Stele has become a landscape in many ancient buildings and has been preserved to this day.

There are several legends about the Turtle Tuo Stone Stele. The above is the most popular one. After all, there is no way to verify the legend. It’s good to know about it. The interesting nature of the legend can increase your interest in learning history and culture! The following pictures of the Turtle Tuo Stone Stele can be used for reference.