Cranes and Tortoises

The finely rendered cranes and tortoises on this futon cover represent longevity and happiness. Cranes were said to live for a thousand years and are a symbol of marital fidelity because they mate for life. Tortoises were believed to live for 10,000 years. Often they are portrayed with seaweed that has attached itself to their shells, an indication that the tortoise was at least 5,000 years old.

Copyright 2006 Jeffrey Krauss and Ann Marie Moeller