Being a fertile egglayer that can live for many centuries, the turtle’s symbolism relates both to wisdom and fertility, so if you dreamed of watching a turtle on its back frantically trying to right itself, could your dream have reflected your waking sense that your reallife circumstances have turned upside down? Turtles also represent the ability to protect yourself and take life at your own pace. Since they enjoy both air and water, turtles represent the ability to think clearly and feel deeply at the same time.
If your dream turtle is wounded or has been kept in a container, this may suggest issues with your body image, and may also indicate that you do not feel safe and secure in your body. [1]