Antique Chinese Bronze Figure of a Dragon-Turtle with wood base. 1910s.

Antique Chinese Bronze Figure of a Dragon-Turtle with wood base. 1910s.

Size 11 x 10 cm

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.

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.

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.