ORIGIN: Hindu (Epic and Puranic)
TYPE: Incarnation of the god Visnu
INFORMATION: The second avatara of Visnu, Kurma appears in the form of a tortoise which acts as a pivot for the mountainous churning rod the gods employ to make ambrosia from the primeval sea of milk after the flood. Kurma is depicted with a human torso surmounting a tortoise shell. Visnu is said to have appeared in this form in order to recover some of the possessions lost during the deluge. Also the name for a vehicle of various deities.
ATTRIBUTES: Club, conch, lotus and prayer wheel.