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On the Origin of Species: Turtwig, Grotle and Torterra (view source)
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The World Turtle myth is most commonly thought of as {{wp|Hindu mythology|Hindu}}, but it actually appears in numerous cultures around the world. In Hinduism, the turtle in question is {{wp|Kurma}}, the second avatar of {{wp|Vishnu}}, who supported a mountain on his back. An alternative interpretation of Kurma has the world existing ''inside'' him: the ground is his lower shell, the atmosphere is his body and the heavens are his upper shell. This may be tied in with the mythology of ancient China, which viewed the world in a similar way: a flat earth and a domed sky. | The World Turtle myth is most commonly thought of as {{wp|Hindu mythology|Hindu}}, but it actually appears in numerous cultures around the world. In Hinduism, the turtle in question is {{wp|Kurma}}, the second avatar of {{wp|Vishnu}}, who supported a mountain on his back. An alternative interpretation of Kurma has the world existing ''inside'' him: the ground is his lower shell, the atmosphere is his body and the heavens are his upper shell. This may be tied in with the mythology of ancient China, which viewed the world in a similar way: a flat earth and a domed sky. | ||
[[File:Sagar mathan.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A painting detailing the events of the Samudra manthana episode of Hindu mythology. Kurma can be seen in the center, supporting a tall mountain on his back.]]Indeed, there is a Chinese version of this myth, although it differs significantly from the Hindu versions. In it, the water god {{wp|Gong Gong}} (共工) has a fight with {{wp|Zhu Rong}} (祝融), the god of fire, in an effort to secure the throne of Heaven. He loses, and in a fit of anger, headbutts a nearby mountain. Said mountain was, unfortunately, holding up the sky, and as the mountain crumbles, the sky begins to tilt to the north-west, and the land to the south-east, triggering immense floods and other natural disasters. Catastrophe was averted by the intervention of the benevolent goddess {{wp|Nüwa}} (女娲). She cut the legs off a giant sea turtle and | [[File:Sagar mathan.jpg|200px|thumb|left|A painting detailing the events of the Samudra manthana episode of Hindu mythology. Kurma can be seen in the center, supporting a tall mountain on his back.]]Indeed, there is a Chinese version of this myth, although it differs significantly from the Hindu versions. In it, the water god {{wp|Gong Gong}} (共工) has a fight with {{wp|Zhu Rong}} (祝融), the god of fire, in an effort to secure the throne of Heaven. He loses, and in a fit of anger, headbutts a nearby mountain. Said mountain was, unfortunately, holding up the sky, and as the mountain crumbles, the sky begins to tilt to the north-west, and the land to the south-east, triggering immense floods and other natural disasters. Catastrophe was averted by the intervention of the benevolent goddess {{wp|Nüwa}} (女娲). She cut the legs off a giant sea turtle and used them to replace the destroyed mountain, propping up the sky once more. Some of the damage was irreversible, however, and this incident is supposedly to blame for the fact that the sun, moon and planets seem to move to the north-west, and that most rivers in China flow to the south-east. | ||
You might be surprised to learn that the version of this myth that most closely resembles the Turtwig family comes not from Asia at all, but from America. The creation myth of the {{wp|Lenape}}, sometimes known as the Delaware Indians, describes a giant turtle emerging from the sea. The Creator placed mud on top of the turtle's shell, and a great tree grew from it. Sprouts of the tree became the first man and woman, and thus, the world was created. The turtle was considered to be a metaphor for life itself, displaying perseverance and longevity. This particular creation myth doesn't seem to be limited to the Lenape, and is said to be shared by many other tribes of the {{wp|Northeastern Woodlands tribes|Northeastern Woodlands}}, including the {{wp|Iroquois}}. | You might be surprised to learn that the version of this myth that most closely resembles the Turtwig family comes not from Asia at all, but from America. The creation myth of the {{wp|Lenape}}, sometimes known as the Delaware Indians, describes a giant turtle emerging from the sea. The Creator placed mud on top of the turtle's shell, and a great tree grew from it. Sprouts of the tree became the first man and woman, and thus, the world was created. The turtle was considered to be a metaphor for life itself, displaying perseverance and longevity. This particular creation myth doesn't seem to be limited to the Lenape, and is said to be shared by many other tribes of the {{wp|Northeastern Woodlands tribes|Northeastern Woodlands}}, including the {{wp|Iroquois}}. | ||