Turtle & Elephants Holding up the World

Sherry Felix

Back in January of 2014 I created this composite using my images. It is based on a recurring dream that I’ve had. I found out later that this concept of a world held up by elephants or on the back of a turtle has been around for an exceedingly long time. The World Turtle, also called the Cosmic Turtle or the World-bearing Turtle, is a giant turtle (or tortoise) supporting the world. It occurs in Hindu mythology, Chinese mythology, and the mythologies of some of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. This year I have been reading the engrossing and funny Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. His satire and humor remind me of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Pratchett describes his flat Discworld as being supported like this. In my dream it is a round world.

Turtle and Elephants World in the Universe 1/23/2014

20 thoughts on “Turtle & Elephants Holding up the World”

  1. Dan 2026-04-14 / 3:13 am

    Phenomenal composition on this piece Sherry!!
    -Dan from Arkansas
    Signing off
    I would love to hear more about this
    My number:+49 171 8159017

    Reply
  2. Noah S 2026-04-14 / 3:11 am

    WELL done sherry I always knew this was a real thing and you finally captured a beautiful image of this.

    Reply
    • Sherry Felix 2026-04-14 / 10:24 am

      Thanks. Glad you like my version of the world turtle.

      Reply
  3. Noah 2026-04-14 / 3:10 am

    Beutiful post I knew that this was real

    Reply
  4. mail tm 2024-09-23 / 8:51 pm

    Thanks, I have just been looking for information about this subject for a long time and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. However, what in regards to the bottom line? Are you certain in regards to the supply?

    Reply
  6. Dan Antion 2024-08-31 / 12:29 pm

    The composite is brilliant, Sherry. That’s very good work.

    Reply
    • Sherry Felix 2024-08-31 / 1:04 pm

      Thanks Dan. I used to do a lot of composite work at my old job.

      Reply
  7. XingfuMama 2024-08-31 / 11:04 am

    I didn’t realize the Hindu origin of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. Love those books.

    Reply
    • Sherry Felix 2024-08-31 / 11:16 am

      Happy to meet a fellow Discworld fan. I tried joining the Discworld FB page to share this image.

      Reply
  8. linda atkins 2024-08-31 / 10:52 am

    Very interesting to know composite sculpture and history of the image. Thanks for sending. Linda

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

    Reply
    • Sherry Felix 2024-08-31 / 10:59 am

      Thanks Linda. I love making pictures like this. It was so interesting to see how many cultures came up with the same thing.

      Reply
  10. Eunice 2024-08-31 / 8:19 am

    I like the idea of the world being held up by turtles and elephants though I’ve never heard of it before. I hope your recurring dream was a nice one, I love your composite photo 😊

    Reply
    • Sherry Felix 2024-08-31 / 8:53 am

      It was a fun dream. It was so strange finding out that my idea was not unique. Thanks.

      Reply
  11. Sue 2024-08-31 / 5:32 am

    Clever….

    Reply

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