turtles seemed to possess an enviable and god-like resistance to aging, and so they came to symbolize longevity. People would pray and make offerings to them for long lives. To someone passing a birthday, they would say: "May the turtle and crane extend your life."
對中國人而言，烏龜能長生不老，有其神聖之處，值得嚮往，因此烏龜成為長壽象徵，民間奉之以祈延年益壽，祝賀人龜鶴延年。