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.)
I am an Ox but also in the class of the Chinese element theory, I classify as a Water Ox.
I was born in the year of the Pig. Thanks for the chance!
Year of the rabbit
Year of bacon
Year of the dragon, dragons like gold pigs!
Dog
Soo-ie!
Year of the Rooster!
ONCE A PIG ALWAYS A PIG——PIG ME PIG ME PLEASE!!!!- LOVE THE COIN AND LOVED TO HAVE IT =THANKS
Year of the Monkey myself, but pigs are tasty creatures…
Born 1953, year of the Snake. I hate snakes! Love pig!
Bacon!
The sign of the Horse! The Horse’s birthday is in october……..just saying…..
Year of Cock (Rooster! You dirty mind!) 😉
1950, Year of the Metal Tiger
I am a Tiger which is ironic as the tigers are the mascots of my teams two biggest rivals. Roll Tide loves some pig gold.
1962
Year of the Goat! 1967
1984 year of the rat!! winter is coming for some in the us so will be the rat!!!!!
Awesome coin! I would love to add that one to my collection.
I was born the year of the rooster.
1983, Year of the Pig!
Year of the monkey
Year of the rat,but I would love one of these beautiful coins
Gotta love that Pig !
Who knew I was born a dragon.
Woof, woof- 1982
Year of the Tiger. .. the Gold Tiger, too — 1950.
“Gold Tigers (1950, 2010)
Tiger sign people with the Gold element also corresponding to their birth year attach great importance to their quiet and harmonious family life.
The females are very enthusiastic while the males are indecisive, stubborn, and feminized; therefore, their inner world is very different from their appearance.
Gold Tigers understand clearly that work is work and play is play, therefore, they never take their work home with them. They are uncommunicative and seldom speak honeyed words; however, they are very tender and considerate toward their partner.
Their biggest disadvantage is that they don’t take advice from others, although they actually need it. They are fascinated with power, and they will achieve great success in politics if they work hard enough.
Gold element Tiger year people get along well with their colleagues and neighbors in life and, as a result, can have a smooth career due to the help and support received from colleagues. There’s one thing they should remember: “Don’t become lazy due to good luck”.”
BBQ Pig is Good PIG!
I’m a 1959 Year of the Pig pork enthusiast. Everything goes better with bacon, to include gold coins!
Year of the snake will slither up on you.
Yeah, I am a Monkey and Pigs can fly….