Monday, April 12, 2010

Turtle with Seaweeds

Many years ago, I saw a Japanese bronze box in the local art&craft museum. The lid was decorated with a turtle that carried a train of seaweeds. The turtle is thought to be 1000 years old. This illustrates a Buddhist metaphore: It is as rare to be reborn as a human being as the chance of a blind turtle that dives up to the sea surface once in 1000 years and by chance sticks his head through a wooden yoke that is swimming on the sea. Or you can say: It is important to use the precious situation of being human to be good.
This is the deeper meaning. On a more common level, it is a symbol for long life.
This is today's pattern.

6 comments:

Clare Wassermann said...

Beautiful and thanks for the story

Titus said...

Arrived via ArtSparker, stayed for the marvellous image.

Joei Rhode Island said...

Have followed you off and on for some time. Love the turtle and the fish design. Your work is an inspiration Eva.
Joei

Andrea Bustelo said...

hermoso

Jacky said...

Enjoying your paintings and this beautiful story.

Jacky xox

Judy said...

It is important to use the precious situation of being human to be good.......I love that!

xo