The turtle is a creature of the water and therefore in opposition to the lightgiving heavenly fires, foremost the spring sun (Rigi). Light comes from fires and the two elements water and fire are in opposition. When Rigi 'dies' it is the work of the turtle.

The spring sun 'dies' at summer solstice because from that point onwards he is waning. Sun also 'dies' at autumn equinox because then he emigrates to the other side of the equator.

The reason why the turtle is necessary also when a new fire is to be alighted is not difficult to understand: The turtle has 'taken' the fire and he must now return it. In nature everything takes and gives, there must be a balance.

Finally, fires have flames which rise towards the sky while water instead runs downwards. Heaven (up) belongs to the birds (gods) and the sea (down) belongs to the sea creatures. We live in the middle. The Mayan concept of the turtle as a creature of the middle world does not apply to sea turtles.