Turtle symbolism for new film

[Puddinpop]

I am fascinated by this films symbolism/mythology so far.. We keep seeing the same Turtle symbol in different promo.

Look at the tattoo on Mikey's left shoulder



and now on Splinter's clothing



and again, in this early promo poster from Legacy Effects



Although the possibility remains that this could all be meaningless, I'd like to think otherwise. With the scroll and everything else.. I think we'll find out soon enough what this symbol symbolizes. My thoughts are that it has something to do with the Turtles we see in the scroll. For some reason this also makes me think of reincarnation and the IDW comic.

I did some searching around and found this cool little passage on Turtle lore,

Ancient Symbolism of The Turtle


The Turtle is an ancient symbol that represents creation, endurance, strength, stability, longevity, fertility, and innocence. The Turtle also provides protection, good fortune , and brings happiness and good omens.

One of the four Chinese sacred animals (among the dragon, the phoenix, and the unicorn), the ever adapting turtle is a creature of both land and sea and can thrive in any environment.

In Asian myth the turtle represents order and was thought to have created the entire universe from it's body parts. The heavens were formed from the shell, the earth was created from it's body and it's undershell was the underworld.

In American Indian culture, the turtle represents the caring wisdom of the ancient ones and is respected for it's protective strength.

The Turtle is considered to be the oldest, most sacred symbol of the Anishinabe and Haudenosaunee people. They believed that North America was created on the back of a turtle.

I thought it was kinda cool.. " creation, endurance, strength, stability, longevity, fertility, and innocence"
"the turtle represents the caring wisdom of the ancient ones and is respected for it's protective strength"

Any thoughts on what this turtle symbol might represent?

[Kanon]

One thing that bothers me all the time is, who the hell made the Tattoos?
Was it Raph?, or Don, or........Leo?

[Puddinpop]

Originally Posted by Kanon

One thing that bothers me all the time is, who the hell made the Tattoos?
Was it Raph?, or Don, or........Leo?

Not sure... but what do you think about the symbol? What do you think it could mean?

[Candy Kappa]

I hope it'll be something they explore, as you posted, turtles have a rich history with symbolism, folklore and mythology from many different places.

Originally Posted by Kanon

One thing that bothers me all the time is, who the hell made the Tattoos?
Was it Raph?, or Don, or........Leo?

Well, since a tattoo isn't hard to do, all you need is a needle and some ink, and preferably something to clean the needle

Plenty of people that have made their own tattoos that way, especially sailors and people in prison.

[Puddinpop]

Originally Posted by Candy Kappa

I hope it'll be something they explore, as you posted, turtles have a rich history with symbolism, folklore and mythology from many different places..

Agreed.. That is exactly what I am hoping for. I hope that scroll isn't just there for show.

[Donatello19]

Looks like he's got a tattoo on his arm, as well. Can anyone make out what that says?

[Fjaj]

Now the Great A'Tuin finally makes sense...

[GeneralTragg]

If I had to guess I'd say it a symbol pertaining to their home planet in the blue door script, and will never be mentioned in the film as anything significant...

[samxsteal]

Originally Posted by GeneralTragg

If I had to guess I'd say it a symbol pertaining to their home planet in the blue door script, and will never be mentioned in the film as anything significant...

There not going to HEavily represent A symbol form a leaked Script get over it Already The BD script isn't the freaking BIBLE for this movie.


Personally i think this might prove a major aspect to the reincarnation/ history mythos and shredder, I think this movie is going to have a lot deaper Back story then Plenty of people are thinking.


Notice how those two symbols look very similar.


people say these guys did research or put time or thought into this movie. Seriously peoples perspective of this movie is blinded.

This is deep level stuff and to brush it off as OH THEY JUST FORGET TO REMOVE IT FROM THE LEAK SCRIPT PARTS is bull.

[SwiftNinjaFox]

"And lo doth the Blue Door state...."

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by samxsteal

There not going to HEavily represent A symbol form a leaked Script get over it Already The BD script isn't the freaking BIBLE for this movie.


Personally i think this might prove a major aspect to the reincarnation/ history mythos and shredder, I think this movie is going to have a lot deaper Back story then Plenty of people are thinking.


Notice how those two symbols look very similar.


people say these guys did research or put time or thought into this movie. Seriously peoples perspective of this movie is blinded.

This is deep level stuff and to brush it off as OH THEY JUST FORGET TO REMOVE IT FROM THE LEAK SCRIPT PARTS is bull.

I think you misunderstand.

No one is suggesting they forget to remove something from the Blue Door script but rather something that's been kept in either an easter egg or because it has been kept in because it's still relevant to their story.

I've said it before but I wouldn't be too surprised if the turtles were still aliens in some round-a-bout fashion. I could see a scenario that while not explicitly said to be of extra terrestrial origin but they are from an ancient race of turtle people that existed in Japan, Splinter is their protector and that the mutant aspect is like it is in the Marvel comic based work were they are simply born mutants and Sachs is hunting them to get the mutagen in their blood.

Let's please not act like major aspects of that Blue Door script aren't still present. It was an earlier draft of what they have now so is it outlandish to suspect there's other elements still present?

Also let's not act that people involved in this movie haven't been creative with the truth in the past. So is it that outlandish not to necessarily take all they say on face value?

[slingtheory]

Originally Posted by samxsteal

There not going to HEavily represent A symbol form a leaked Script get over it Already The BD script isn't the freaking BIBLE for this movie.


Personally i think this might prove a major aspect to the reincarnation/ history mythos and shredder, I think this movie is going to have a lot deaper Back story then Plenty of people are thinking.


Notice how those two symbols look very similar.


people say these guys did research or put time or thought into this movie. Seriously peoples perspective of this movie is blinded.

This is deep level stuff and to brush it off as OH THEY JUST FORGET TO REMOVE IT FROM THE LEAK SCRIPT PARTS is bull.

how do we know for sure sam. as of now we're just speculating and we have no clue if that symbol has any deeper relevance in the film at all. for all we know maybe that was the symbol of the turtle warriors of dimension x in the old draft and they could've left it in after they altered the story because they thought it looked cool. or maybe it doesn't even play a role anymore because like alpha mentioned you cant really see it in the more recent stuff. either theory would be a good explanation for why that teaser poster never really got around

[samxsteal]

Originally Posted by Galactus

I think you misunderstand.

No one is suggesting they forget to remove something from the Blue Door script but rather something that's been kept in either an easter egg or because it has been kept in because it's still relevant to their story.

I've said it before but I wouldn't be too surprised if the turtles were still aliens in some round-a-bout fashion. I could see a scenario that while not explicitly said to be of extra terrestrial origin but they are from an ancient race of turtle people that existed in Japan, Splinter is their protector and that the mutant aspect is like it is in the Marvel comic based work were they are simply born mutants and Sachs is hunting them to get the mutagen in their blood.

Let's please not act like major aspects of that Blue Door script aren't still present. It was an earlier draft of what they have now so is it outlandish to suspect there's other elements still present?

Also let's not act that people involved in this movie haven't been creative with the truth in the past. So is it that outlandish not to necessarily take all they say on face value?

the only"major " aspect of blue for is the snowy escape that's about it people like to portent there is about more but really that's about it and I seriously doubt they're still aliens after everything they went through the backlash, all that I doubt they would.

Originally Posted by slingtheory

how do we know for sure sam. as of now we're just speculating and we have no clue if that symbol has any deeper relevance in the film at all. for all we know maybe that was the symbol of the turtle warriors of dimension x in the old draft and they could've left it in after they altered the story because they thought it looked cool. or maybe it doesn't even play a role anymore because like alpha mentioned you cant really see it in the more recent stuff. either theory would be a good explanation for why that teaser poster never really got around

I mean why put those marketing's all over the place and not have meaning to them and the whole blue door blue door thing people keep holding that as the end all be all reference of this movie and it's not.

[Galactus]

Originally Posted by samxsteal

the only"major " aspect of blue for is the snowy escape that's about it people like to portent there is about more but really that's about it and I seriously doubt they're still aliens after everything they went through the backlash, all that I doubt they would.

Kind of like how the people behind Star Trek: Into Darkness swore blind Benedict Cumberbatch was not Khan.

Or how Michael Bay kept saying that Megatron was not in Revenge of the Fallen.

I mean why put those marketing's all over the place and not have meaning to them and the whole blue door blue door thing people keep holding that as the end all be all reference of this movie and it's not.

I could go either way on this. It could either be a symbol of some stupid convoluted plot point or not be a symbol of anything and just something they all thought looks cool.

[The Boston Ninja Turtle]

Originally Posted by Galactus

Or how Michael Bay kept saying that Megatron was not in Revenge of the Fallen.

yup.....i remember when he swore up and down that Megatron was not in there and would never show up again

only to be foiled by toy releases


ok now on topic...and people are going to hate me for this


It would not surprise me in the slightest...if all that turtle symbolism and imagery is there because they want people to remember that Leo and the Gang are turtles.

and yes hollywood does think people are that dumb

[samxsteal]

Originally Posted by Galactus

Kind of like how the people behind Star Trek: Into Darkness swore blind Benedict Cumberbatch was not Khan.

Or how Michael Bay kept saying that Megatron was not in Revenge of the Fallen.



I could go either way on this. It could either be a symbol of some stupid convoluted plot point or not be a symbol of anything and just something they all thought looks cool.

But really thats a different situation The reasoning behind trying to keep those thing a secret as to surprise fans, JJ is known for it Mystery box "theory"

And Michael Bay was again trying to surprise fans with megatons revival

This totally different then saying that an older script that leaked has been reworked or thrown out, what would he have to gain just keeping that script and telling everyone that is wasn't being used.

Especially after postponing the movie about a year Specifically for rewrites to then just keep the script especially something like that, While ONE aspect is still in the movie Everything else seen so far is almost completely different.

Originally Posted by The Boston Ninja Turtle

yup.....i remember when he swore up and down that Megatron was not in there and would never show up again

only to be foiled by toy releases


ok now on topic...and people are going to hate me for this


It would not surprise me in the slightest...if all that turtle symbolism and imagery is there because they want people to remember that Leo and the Gang are turtles.

and yes hollywood does think people are that dumb

This i could believe but I think something this Predominant I doubt. Only because splinter Has it as his Kimono Crest and I will tell you right know those mean something My grand father was stationed over in japan(were my mom was born) He was an air force minister So they have him a Kimono with a cross as a symbol of who he was and what his station was. My grandmother kimono is technically meant for someone similar in station as royalty ( her kimono was very long Because she was tall the longer the Kimono the higher your station was)

[The Boston Ninja Turtle]

Originally Posted by samxsteal

This i could believe but I think something this Predominant I doubt. Only because splinter Has it as his Kimono Crest and I will tell you right know those mean something My grand father was stationed over in japan(were my mom was born) He was an air force minister So they have him a Kimono with a cross as a symbol of who he was and what his station was. My grandmother kimono is technically meant for someone similar in station as royalty ( her kimono was very long Because she was tall the longer the Kimono the higher your station was)

my grandfather was stationed there too as well as my 2 of my nest friends one as a marine and one as a minister


Turtles in japanese culture turtles are the symbol for longevity

thats why turtle soup and turtle esq symbols are found


ever wonder why master roshi was called the turtle hermit?

[samxsteal]

Originally Posted by The Boston Ninja Turtle

my grandfather was stationed there too as well as my 2 of my nest friends one as a marine and one as a minister


Turtles in japanese culture turtles are the symbol for longevity

thats why turtle soup and turtle esq symbols are found


ever wonder why master roshi was called the turtle hermit?

Oh i know, im just saying there maybe be a bit more to it then just longevity though, that could be a clue as well if reincarnation in involved

[Pondslider]

In this movie the turtles symbolize giant transforming robots. And Michael Bay symbolizes man's inhumanity to man.

[Refractive Reflections]

We can only hope for so much symbolism and depth when the movie superficially made these Turtles' appearances to fit with their personalities, and their gear so impractical.