In
Greek mythology,
Chelone (
Greek Χελωνη,
Khelônê) was a
nymph. She refused to attend or was disrespectful at the marriage of
Zeus and
Hera, she was disrespectful and Zeus or
Hermes changed her into a
tortoise, condemning her to eternal silence. (
Khelônê means "tortoise" in Greek and the tortoise was a
symbol of silence in ancient times.)