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.)
There are cut off months when considering your zodiac signs. I’m born in the year of the pig but my cut off month makes me a dog.
Year of the rabbit for me. Although I don’t dine on swine, a gold coin would be fine!
I’m year of the ox 1973. You guys are awesome! Keep stacking!
April 1962, Tiger is the third in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign
free GOLD would make a nice belated B-Day Present. or Early B-Day Present
GOOD LUCK TO ME !!
I was born in the year of the chicken.
Year of the Rabbit 1975
Year of the Dragon
Year of the goat…GOAT!
1990 year of the horse
I was Born in 1959 and My mom and siblings nicknamed Pig LOL. To this day My brothers still call me Pig, my husband gets angry with them but my skin is made of tough pigskin!
Ruth
Year of the snake. Felt old though with the chart above not going back far enough .
April 1962, Tiger is the third in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign
would be a nice belated B-Day present or a Early one ?? !!
Good luck to ME!!
Year of the Goat 2003
Born 1984, year of the rat =)
Pigs are smart !!!, Guy running the pig race told me. 🙂
I was born in 1984, year of the Rat.
Rat here, born 1984!
This is my year to win.
Sounds like this is my lucky year
Well I hope I am a Butterfly since my year is not there.
Thank you for offering the opportunity.
Thanks for the giveaway! I cant always afford gold so I try to enter when I see these contests. I am also a rabbit, but I love pork so I figure that qualifies me for the pig 🙂
Year of the rabbit!
Tiger is the third in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign that’ would be mine for April 1962
I see pig, I think carnitas!!
They’re so good!
I was born in 1990, year of the horse(: Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Year of the Water Pig.
1955… Year of the Sheep.
Year of the Ox 1961
Year of the Rat 1984.
I,M A RAT BUT MY WIFE IS THE PIG
This snake wants a pig!
Rooster needs a pig to complete the set.