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RELIGION & MYTHOLOGY

 

 

 

  crane on tortoise

 

Vietnam

A bronze statue of a crane standing on a tortoise whilst holding a lotus leaf in its bill. The animals represent enduring power and longevity, whilst the lotus leaf is an attribute that refers to continuation.

 

These statues are often found in pairs at shrines of important heroes, such as here in Hanoi, at a shrine devoted to Tran Quoc Tuan.

 

  crane on tortoise