WARNING: This article includes SPOILERS for IT: Welcome to Derry episode 1!

It: Welcome To Derry’s premiere features turtles multiple times, which has a much deeper significance to the story. After much anticipation, the first episode of HBO Max’s IT prequel has dropped, and it was well worth the wait.

Between its creepy opening scene and the massacre at the movie theater, it’s clear that It: Welcome to Derry will be just as terrifying as the movies. On top of that, one of the most exciting It prequel easter eggs hints that the show will not only offer scares but more lore.

Turtles are scattered throughout It: Welcome to Derry episode 1, mirroring the movies. However, this is actually an Easter egg that connects to the books and hints about what’s to come in the TV show.

It: Welcome To Derry Episode 1 Features Multiple Turtles

A sign says Bert The Turtle Says Duck And Cover in It Welcome To Derry episode 1

The first turtle sighting is the high school sign that reads, “Bert the Turtle says duck and cover.” This is a reference to the Bert the Turtle PSA education commercial from 1951. The turtle is then seen as a mascot inside the school.

Turtle References So Far Movie/Show
Bill’s Lego turtle IT
Turtle on the wallpaper in Bill’s house IT
The turtle in the quarry IT
A turtle sticker on Beverly’s book IT
The turtle stuffed animal on Ben’s summer school desk IT: Chapter Two
The Turtle statue outside Ben’s house IT: Chapter Two
Bert The Turtle IT: Welcome to Derry
Lilly’s turtle charm on her bracelet IT: Welcome to Derry

Later, Lily and Matty open their Cracker Jacks boxes. She gets a rocket ship, and he gets a turtle. They trade, with Lilly remarking that turtles are lucky. She wears it on her charm bracelet every day. Unsurprisingly, she is the only character to survive the massacre from the weird baby bat at the theater, which doesn’t seem like a coincidence.

Turtles Have A Deeper Meaning In Stephen King’s It – Maturin Explained

Lilly's bracelet has a turtle on it in IT Welcome to Derry

Turtles are also seen throughout Andy Muschietti’s duology, and it’s no coincidence. The turtles scattered throughout It (2017), It: Chapter Two, and It: Welcome to Derry are a reference to a character who appears in Stephen King’s novel, but none of the onscreen adaptations so far. IT has a nemesis called Maturin the Turtle, who is essential to Stephen King’s macroverse.

Maturin helps uphold the beams of The Dark Tower, connecting IT to the other popular Stephen King books. Additionally, he created our universe when he had a stomachache and came out of his shell to throw up. In Stephen King’s It, Maturin helps protect the children that IT targets and offers guidance to the Losers Club.

Despite this, Maturin has never appeared onscreen in any of the It adaptations. He almost appeared in It: Chapter Two, but the character was ultimately cut from the IT movies. However, the TV show seems like it will finally fulfill the promise to introduce the turtle. After all, Muschietti already confirmed It: Welcome to Derry would connect to the Dark Tower story.