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.)
Here piggy piggy piggy! Here piggy piggy piggy!!
I am a proud Monkey!
Sadly, I was born in the year of the sheep … but a gold pig would cheer me up!
The pig is nice .
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Provident metals rock
I forgot my Chinese zodiac symbol, but I belive it’s the Snake or monkey? Lol.
Beautiful coin also! It would be a nice addition to the few grams of gold. Lol
This fire breathing Dragon would love some smoked pig… 1976
Year of the dog! 1994.
When pigs fly…. I’m 1971 and will be flying when you pull my name. Thanks!
I’m a snake but my older half brother is a Pig. I also have a Tiger, Dog and two Rats in my immediate family.
Ok Gold pig for free what’s not to like?
I’m the year of the dog. I like bacon.
Year of the Ox
Year of the ROOSTER!! 1969!
I’m a rat but the pig is God’s perfect food. Bacon, sausage and pork chops. Yum yum !!!
Year of the Snake ! ! !
Pork….the other white meat! Yum! Only thing Better is free gold!!!!
Whst! Only 1/20 of an ounce! What cheap pigs. Haha…I’m such a RAT!
Pretty Illustrious Pork 2019
im a snake-i would LOVE a pig
YEAR OF THE MONKEY
Year of dog
What a beautiful coin …. I’m a tiger myself =)
The Year of the Water Dragon–born between January 27, 1952 and February 13, 1953 are members of the Water Dragon Chinese Zodiac sign. The influence of the Water Element makes the Water Dragon the most calm of all the Dragon types. While still driven, the Water Dragon has a more reflective and emotionally intuitive personality. These qualities allow the Water Dragon to be less self-centered than others born under the Dragon sign. With more of an open-mind and ability to understand others opinions, the Water Dragon has the ability to be team oriented and cooperative. With these social skills, Water Dragons are known to have more friends and close companions. With their pairing of passion, communication and intelligence, the Water Dragon has a fluid path to success.
I will just line it up next to all the other pigs I bought over the years. One piggy, two piggy, three little piggy porks. Four piggy, five piggy, six little piggy porks. Seven piggy, eight piggy, nine little piggy porks…….bring them on Provident. I will take this porky as a birthday gift for my September sweety Katherine who will be 10 on the dot.
What a great gift!
a golden pig….does it fly ?
Year of the Rooster 1981!!!
got to enter my wife is a year of the pig! a gorgeous coin!
Dog
Year of the rooster for me.
1957 year of the Fire Rooster.