The stone turtle stele, also known as the stone turtle stele, is a kind of stone carving artwork in traditional Chinese culture. It is usually carved from a huge stone, with the turtle lying prone and carrying a stone tablet on its back, which symbolizes good meanings such as longevity, auspiciousness, and loyalty. In ancient times, the stone turtle stele was a symbol of important places such as the royal family, government offices and temples, and it was also a favorite collection of some literati and scholars.
The history of the stone turtle stele can be traced back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties in ancient China. At that time, the wind of turtle divination was prevalent, and it was believed that divination with turtle shells could lead to the future. As a result, some exquisite stone turtle carvings came into being. With the passage of time, the stone turtle stele has gradually become a kind of artwork with cultural connotation, and its production process has been continuously developed and improved.
The manufacture of stone turtle steles requires a high level of carving skill and a wealth of cultural knowledge. Carvers need to have a deep foundation in painting and carving, as well as an in-depth understanding of the image and characteristics of turtles. During the production process, the carver usually first draws the image of the turtle on a large stone and then carves it. After the carving is completed, it is necessary to polish, wax and other fine treatments, so that the surface of the stone turtle stele is smooth as a mirror, showing a perfect texture.
The cultural connotation of the stone turtle stele is rich and diverse. In traditional Chinese culture, the turtle is one of the four spirits, symbolizing longevity, auspiciousness, and loyalty. In addition, the turtle is also a symbol of wisdom, implying the ability to ** the future. Therefore, the stone turtle stele is often regarded as a symbol of auspiciousness, longevity and wisdom, and carries people's good wishes and blessings.