The Dragon Turtle in Chinese Mythology and as Feng Shui Cure

• 13 April 2024November 18, 2024
• Feng Shui
• Chinese Mythology, Gifts

The Dragon Turtle is a Chinese mythological creature with the head of the Celestial Dragon and the body of a Celestial Tortoise, hence the name ‘Dragon Turtle’, and is one of the most important mythological creatures in Chinese culture and Feng Shui.

Here, we will discuss all you need to know about the Dragon Turtle, both as a cultural symbol in the Chinese culture, as well as a Feng Shui cure.

Without further ado, let us begin.

Historical Origins and Cultural Significance of the Dragon Turtle

The Dragon Turtle has deep roots in Chinese culture, with its origins going back to ancient folklore. The combination of the Dragon and Turtle reflects a balance between strength and endurance, two qualities deeply valued in traditional Chinese society. Dragons were often associated with emperors and cosmic energy, while turtles symbolized longevity and stability, making the Dragon Turtle a unique fusion representing sustained power and steady progress.

In Chinese mythology, the Turtle was also believed to be one of the Four Holy Beasts (四大神獸) supporting the world, with the other three being the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin. This association with cosmic order and stability further strengthens the Dragon Turtle’s role as a powerful amulet for harmony and protection.

What Does The Dragon Turtle Symbolize?

The Dragon Turtle represents a combination of two of the Four Celestial Animals in Feng Shui: the Turtle (or Tortoise) and Dragon, with the two other Celestial Animals being the Phoenix and Tiger… If you’re confused, The difference between the Four Holy Beasts and the Four Symbols (or celestial animals) is that Qilin substitutes the White Tiger.

Typically a Dragon Turtle statue has the head of a dragon and a body of a turtle sitting on a bed of gold ingots and coins. It is also often represented with a coin in its mouth and a baby tortoise on its back.

The Turtle, or tortoise, is a symbol of longevity and protection in Feng Shui, while the dragon is a famous symbol of success, courage, wealth fortune, and determination. The Dragon Turtle is believed to be a turtle that is transforming into a dragon, which symbolizes the owner’s upward movement and positive transformation in wealth and career.

If the Dragon Turtle is sitting on a bed made up of coins and gold ingots, then this base symbolizes abundant wealth and prosperity, and as a Feng Shui cure can help its owner with financial fortune. The coin in its mouth symbolizes more money coming into the house (the Dragon Turtle’s belly).

The small baby tortoise on its back, on the other hand, is a symbol of fertility, wishing the owner many sons and daughters.

In ancient China, it is believed that the Dragon is the ruler of the eastern sky, while the black Tortoise dominated the northern sky. Combining the two mythological creatures, the Dragon Turtle was believed to bring its owner long-term success in career, relationships, and politics.

Related reading: “Chinese Good Luck Charms To Bring Good Fortune” –Opens in new tab

Different Types of Dragon Turtle

The Dragon Turtle charm can come in various different types, each with its own symbolization. However, here are some of the most popular types of Dragon Turtle statues in Feng Shui:

1. Dragon Turtle sitting on a bed of gold ingots

We have briefly discussed this type of Dragon Turtle above, and this is one of the most famous Dragon Turtle designs used not only in China but all over the world. As discussed, this type of Dragon Turtle holding a coin in its mouth symbolizes ever-increasing fortune and wealth income.

2. Dragon Turtle statue with child tortoise on its back

The Dragon Turtle may be portrayed with more than one child turtle on its shell and is believed to symbolize good luck and fertility. For families with children, this Dragon Turtle is believed to provide obedient and intelligent children who can help the family to better success and prosperity. For families without children, this is believed to aid with fertility.

3. Dragon Turtle with Wen Chang pagoda on its back

Another popular design depicted the Dragon Turtle as carrying the Wen Chang Pagoda (the Feng Shui pagoda) on its back. The Wen Chang pagoda’s name consists of two words, Wen and Chang, meaning knowledge and prosperity. Thus, this Dragon Turtle design is believed to bring both prosperity and knowledge for its owner, as well as positive energy throughout the house where it’s placed.

Dragon Turtle as a Feng Shui Cure

The Dragon Turtle charm can be used as a Feng Shui cure for a number of purposes, and here are some of the common ones:

1. Attracting wealth

Like many other popular Feng Shui cures, the Dragon Turtle statue is a famous wealth and fortune cure. As a wealth Feng Shui cure, we can place the Dragon Turtle in the money/prosperity area of your home (the far back left, one-third of your home when you’re standing at the front door facing the house).

For this purpose, you can use a Dragon Turtle statue that is gold-colored with coins and ingots as decorations. You should choose Daragon Turle holding a Chinese lucky coin in its mouth. A Dragon Turtle holding a child turtle on its back is also a good Feng Shui wealth cure.

2. Career luck

You can use a Dragon Turtle to help in career advancements. Choose a Dragon Turtle charm with a ru yi (Feng Shui scepter) on its back and with defined claws. Place this Dragon Turtle in either the northwest or north areas of your home. Also, you should choose a bronze or crystal Dragon Turtle.

3. For protection

You can use a metal Dragon Turtle to neutralize negative energy and protect your house from bad luck. Choose a Dragon Turtle with an emphasized claw for this purpose. You can place the Dragon Turtle at the entrance of your house to provide safety and protection from negative luck energies.

4. Enhancing Family Harmony

Placing a Dragon Turtle in the family or living room can help to harmonize family relationships. By situating it in the east section of the home (governed by the Wood element and linked to family), it promotes unity and helps to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts among family members.

5. Boosting Academic Success and Knowledge

For families with students or individuals looking to enhance their knowledge, placing a Dragon Turtle with the Wen Chang Pagoda in the study room or near the workspace can bring focus, wisdom, and clarity. The Wen Chang Pagoda has been associated with scholarly achievements, making this a helpful charm for those pursuing academic success or intellectual growth.

6. Promoting Good Health and Vitality

In Feng Shui, the Turtle is also a symbol of good health and vitality. To amplify this energy, a Dragon Turtle placed in the east sector of the home (which represents health and family) can work as a health charm. Opt for a green or wooden Dragon Turtle statue to emphasize the health-boosting energy of this placement.

Check out some “Dragon Turtle” designs – Opens in new tab.

Types of Materials Used and Their Symbolic Effects

The material of the Dragon Turtle can affect its Feng Shui properties. Choosing a specific material can help align its energy with your desired outcomes:

• Bronze: A Dragon Turtle made of bronze or metal is ideal for career success and protection. Metal elements bring authority and strength, making bronze Dragon Turtles especially beneficial in professional settings or to guard against misfortune.
• Resin or Jade: A resin or jade Dragon Turtle is linked with harmonious energy and is a good choice for promoting family unity and health.
• Crystal or Glass: These materials are often used for wealth enhancement, as they amplify the energy of surrounding wealth symbols, such as the coins or ingots on which the Dragon Turtle sits.

Where do you place a dragon turtle at home?

As turtles and tortoises are amphibious, it’s best to place the Dragon Turtle near water, and the north sector of your house is typically the best placement for the Dragon Turtle due to its strong water element. Water element also represents wealth, helping the Dragon Turtle’s performance as a wealth cure.

There is an old Chinese Saying 乌锤, meaning turtles are afraid of metal hammers, and so putting it in the west or northwest (areas with strong metal elements) direction of your hose is not ideal.

You can also place your Dragon Turtle in the east sector of your house, which is the second-most ideal location after the north.

For smaller Dragon Turtles, you can use them as paperweights at home or in the office, and in general, you should leave them on the north or east area of the table.

As with most Feng Shui cures, avoid placing them in areas associated with negative energy like your bathroom or kitchen, which might attract bad luck instead.

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Dragon Turtle Placement for Business Success

In business settings, the Dragon Turtle can serve as a powerful charm for growth and protection:

• Office Placement: Place the Dragon Turtle in the southeast corner of the office to enhance wealth and prosperity for the business.
• Facing the Entrance: Positioning it near the entrance of a business establishment allows it to “guard” the premises, warding off negative influences and attracting potential opportunities.
• On the Work Desk: A smaller Dragon Turtle placed on the left side of the desk (the side associated with the Green Dragon for support and progress) can enhance personal authority and decision-making capabilities.

Some further tips:

1. Do not face the head of the dragon turtle towards your bed or sofa, it’s best to let the Dragon Turtle face the windows or the door
2. It’s fine for family members to touch the Dragon Turtle, but you shouldn’t allow visitors or strangers to touch the Dragon Turtle
3. Never place the Dragon Turtle in an upside-down position

Care and Maintenance of the Dragon Turtle

Proper care and respect for the Dragon Turtle can amplify its effectiveness in Feng Shui:

1. Regular Cleaning: Keep the Dragon Turtle free of dust and dirt, as cleanliness is believed to retain and reinforce its positive energy.
2. Symbolic Cleansing: For an added ritual, cleanse the Dragon Turtle with moonlight or sprinkle it with a few drops of purified water, as this symbolizes washing away any accumulated negative energy.
3. Re-energizing Periodically: To maintain the energy of the Dragon Turtle, re-position it periodically (for example, during the Chinese New Year) to refresh its connection to the energy flow in your space.

Spiritual Meaning and Meditative Use of the Dragon Turtle

In addition to its Feng Shui applications, the Dragon Turtle can serve as a spiritual symbol and meditation aid. Its form—representing a transformational journey from earthbound Turtle to celestial Dragon—symbolizes growth, inner strength, and perseverance.

Meditating with a focus on the Dragon Turtle’s symbolism can help individuals cultivate resilience and patience. This makes the Dragon Turtle a useful tool for those seeking not just material success, but spiritual growth and personal development as well.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Dragon Turtle stands as a powerful symbol in Chinese culture, embodying the harmonious blend of strength, resilience, and prosperity. Whether used as a Feng Shui cure for wealth, career success, protection, or family harmony, this unique creature offers versatile benefits that can enhance various aspects of life.

By understanding its symbolism, proper placement, and care, you can invite the Dragon Turtle’s transformative energy into your home or workspace, fostering a balanced and prosperous environment. Embracing this ancient talisman can inspire not only material growth but also personal and spiritual development on your journey forward.

Check out some “Dragon Turtle” designs – Opens in new tab.