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September Giveaway: We’re going hog wild! Pig symbolism through the ages

By ProvidentMetals.com on September 10, 2018 Filed Under: Giveaways and Promotions

It’s September, which means that we’ll soon say goodbye to another staggeringly fast-moving year while we rush headlong into 2019. And shortly after we ring in the New Year, the Chinese will be ringing in their own. In the Chinese zodiac calendar, 2019 is the Year of the Pig – the last sign in the ancient 12-year lunar cycle. The upcoming Year of the Pig has us thinking, is this sacred animal honored in any other cultures throughout the world?

Come to find out, pigs in their various forms –  from wild boars to domesticated swine – have been used as powerful symbols of prosperity, wealth and abundance for thousands of years. So let’s take a walk through history and discover how the humble pig became a sacred icon in religion and culture all over the world.

Pigs in Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian Priest kissing a pig before offering it as a sacrifice

In early Egyptian cultures, the pig was seen as the Great Mother, symbolizing abundance. The pig was sacred to Isis, the goddess of agriculture who personified fertility. It served as a sacrificial animal and votive to the gods throughout all of Ancient Egypt. 

Pig symbolism in Ancient Greece

The sacrifice of a pig in Ancient Greece to the goddesses of agriculture

The Greeks would sacrifice pigs to agriculture and farming goddesses such as Gaia, Ares, and Demeter in order to ensure favorable growing seasons and successful crops. Aristotle himself wrote about pigs’ high intellect, calling them, “the animals most like people.”

Pigs were prominent in Celtic cultures

The obverse of a Celtic silver coin early 1st century BC

To the ancient Celts, the pig was an icon of fertility, strength, prosperity, and abundance. Celtic lore associated pigs with abundance because they were forever replenishing their numbers with large litters. Pigs were regularly sacrificed to the fertility moon goddesses Phaea and Ceridwen. On the other hand, the boar represented masculine power, courage, and strength in warriors, and the boar’s bristles were said to possess magical powers.

Native American pig totems

Native American Pueblo canteen circa 1875

Native American plains tribes considered the pig a harbinger of rain, which fertilized the earth. Therefore, the symbolic meaning of pigs in Native American culture is linked to, you guessed it, abundance, fertility, and agriculture.

Pigs in the Chinese zodiac

Chinese zodiac calendar

The Pig figures heavily in Chinese culture as a symbol of luck, prosperity, fortune, and wealth. The Year of the Pig is the last sign in the 12-year ancient Chinese lunar cycle. The birth years for people ruled by the Chinese Lunar pig include 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019. Those born in the year of this sign are said to be honest, loyal, and generous.

Which brings us to…

Our September giveaway!

Were you born in the year of the pig? If not, what Chinese zodiac sign were you born under? Commenting below will serve as your entry for our September giveaway. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by September 30th, and one winner will be randomly selected on October 1st to receive a 2019 1/20 oz Gold Lunar Year of the Pig coin from the Perth Mint!  

In 1996, the Perth Mint began a series of gold coins celebrating the Chinese zodiac. The inaugural Year of the Mouse began a 12-year cycle featuring a new animal each year. The first 12 years were called the Lunar I series. In 2008, the 12-animal cycle restarted to create the Lunar II series. Meticulously struck in .9999 pure gold, this stunning 1/20 oz 2019 Year of the Pig coin features a domesticated pig standing among a beautiful foliage backdrop. 

Good luck! 

*(Inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified.)

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Comments

  1. Daniel Livingston says

    December 17, 2018 at 10:13 am

    That’ll do Pig

    Reply
  2. Drew says

    November 12, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    That’ll do pig! Thank you for this opportunity.

    Reply
  3. Phuong Tran says

    October 7, 2018 at 2:12 pm

    Did one of the piggy went to market?

    Reply
  4. Michael Taylor says

    October 7, 2018 at 10:45 am

    I’m a tiger!
    Cool coin.

    Reply
  5. Pedro Figueroa says

    October 6, 2018 at 3:54 pm

    No sabía que existía un año para el cerdo

    Reply
  6. Russ Surgeson says

    October 6, 2018 at 12:25 am

    I’m a rat. What can I do.

    Reply
  7. Carl Lunak says

    October 5, 2018 at 11:30 am

    Water Rat, but a shinny pig sounds great.

    Reply
  8. bill long says

    October 4, 2018 at 11:18 am

    Year of the Rat!

    Reply
  9. John D. Palmer says

    October 3, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    I’d sure appreciate a new coin

    Reply
  10. Doug Sporl says

    October 3, 2018 at 7:06 pm

    Year of the dog

    Reply
  11. Mike Makowski says

    October 3, 2018 at 7:58 am

    Year of the Dragon.

    Reply
  12. Sean Quinlan says

    October 3, 2018 at 1:02 am

    Gimme dat gold!

    Reply
  13. William shaw says

    October 2, 2018 at 11:08 pm

    I think it”s great that u have these giveaways. It’s good for u and it’s great for us. Thank you LATTER.

    Reply
  14. William shaw says

    October 2, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    I was born 1958 oct and i was told i’am A DOG Ha-Ha the jokes on me. And that i would love to win latter.

    Reply
  15. Chris Pelletier says

    October 2, 2018 at 11:06 am

    Dragon here

    Reply
  16. Chris Pelletier says

    October 2, 2018 at 11:04 am

    Would love to have this ….I don’t own any gold at the moment !!!

    Reply
  17. Randy gossett says

    October 2, 2018 at 10:50 am

    This would be awesome to win!

    Reply
  18. Doug Burian says

    October 2, 2018 at 9:01 am

    Year of the Rooster!

    Reply
  19. Mack Shelton says

    October 1, 2018 at 12:38 am

    Year of the Dog!

    Reply
  20. Adam Wintrr says

    September 30, 2018 at 9:42 pm

    I’m a snake but I’ll take a pig!

    Reply
  21. Collin James Brock says

    September 30, 2018 at 7:55 pm

    1984 year of the Rat! Love the giveaways!

    Reply
  22. Mathew A Bixby says

    September 30, 2018 at 7:39 pm

    Thanks so much for the opportunity to win!

    Reply
  23. Chris says

    September 30, 2018 at 7:22 pm

    Year of the sheep

    Reply
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