Black Turtle of the North

Third in the series of the four Chinese guardians/beasts.

The turtle represents north, black, water, and winter. Turtles and tortoises also have a ton of other symbolism in Chinese mythology; they're signs of longevity and good fortune, and associated with heaven & earth-- the idea is the top shell of the turtle is the sky, and the bottom shell the earth.

I almost added constellations/stars to the turtle's back here for that reason, but decided in the end it wouldn't match the other pieces in the set.

11x14", mixed media on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper.