Ao | Wood Turtle

Ao is the mythical turtle of the sea, associated here with Wood in the Five Elements.

In legend, Ao bears the mountains of the immortals and gathers the spirit of heaven and earth. The expression “to stand alone upon the Ao's head” signifies outstanding achievement. Its name also echoes the word for roaming freely, suggesting far-reaching ambition. Wood represents growth, renewal and progress. Steady as it is, Ao bears upward, like a tree rooted in the earth and reaching towards the sky.

On a desk or tea table, it expresses wishes for a flourishing career, high aspirations and steady advancement, carrying hope for life's vitality and its future.