Flat carapace of a Chinese pond turtle (Chinemys reevesii), size approx. 16 cm. This species (like the European pond turtle) is critically endangered for various reasons, including because it plays a relatively large role in traditional medicine. Medicines have been made from the shell for around 5,000 years. Turtles also symbolize wealth and endurance in China. Along with the dragon, which embodied imperial power, they were the most important animal and were considered an image of the cosmos. The back armor represents the heavenly vault, the abdominal armor represents the earth. [hint: this is an automatic translation from German]   |   Category: artefact   |   Material: Schildpatt Präparate   |   Country of origin: Bavaria, Germany | Similar pieces