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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. Troy Meyer says

    September 30, 2018 at 7:17 pm

    Year of the Goat

    Reply
  2. Josh Dezarn says

    September 30, 2018 at 7:16 pm

    I love the Perth Lunar series. Year of the Cock for me.

    Reply
  3. Christi Razor says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:07 pm

    1950 year of the tiger

    Reply
  4. Kim Razor says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:05 pm

    I am year of the Tiger

    Reply
  5. Lyndsey Razor says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:03 pm

    I am year of the Snake

    Reply
  6. Zachary Razor says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:02 pm

    I am Year of the Snake

    Reply
  7. Tim says

    September 30, 2018 at 5:42 pm

    I’m a Rabbit!! Thanks and good luck to me!!

    Reply
  8. Zachary Olczak says

    September 30, 2018 at 5:18 pm

    Wahoo!

    Reply
  9. Henry says

    September 30, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    Here piggy piggy !!

    Reply
  10. Travis Long says

    September 30, 2018 at 3:39 pm

    It just so happens I was born in the year of the pig!

    Reply
  11. Aaron Fellows says

    September 30, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    Year of the SNAKE!

    Reply
  12. Christopher Laurin says

    September 30, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    1977 the Year of the Fire Snake or Snek if you prefer. 😉

    Reply
  13. Mark Jones says

    September 30, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    Year of the rat.

    Reply
  14. Chris W says

    September 30, 2018 at 12:00 pm

    Year of the dragon here.

    Reply
  15. Michael Pincek says

    September 30, 2018 at 11:42 am

    Year of the Dog!

    Reply
  16. Murat says

    September 30, 2018 at 11:01 am

    Pigs disgusting animals

    Reply
  17. Christopher Schoell says

    September 30, 2018 at 9:28 am

    Ummmmmmm pig. There is no tastier animal.

    Reply
  18. Wade Kainer says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:52 am

    Year of the monkey…but I love bacon and Provident Metals

    Reply
  19. Randy Record says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:48 am

    Monkey

    Reply
  20. Tyler Renteria says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:44 am

    Rooster!

    Reply
  21. Shawn Teague says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:43 am

    Tiger!

    Reply
  22. Craig Rainey says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:30 am

    Year of the pig. 1971!

    Reply
  23. Richard Jones says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:29 am

    I love gold.

    Reply
    • Richard Jones says

      September 30, 2018 at 8:30 am

      Rabbit

      Reply
  24. Mike Hodges says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:28 am

    Year of the Rooster, Sept. 5th 1981

    Reply
  25. Ron Brown says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:05 am

    In the year of bacon!

    Reply
  26. Josh Ramey says

    September 30, 2018 at 8:03 am

    I hope I win this golden pig

    Reply
  27. Ron Russell says

    September 30, 2018 at 7:04 am

    Year of the dog

    Reply
  28. Tim Schneid says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:41 am

    Dragon

    Reply
  29. Jordan Hoyer says

    September 30, 2018 at 6:15 am

    I’m a year of the horse of course!

    Reply
  30. Frank P Maza says

    September 30, 2018 at 12:14 am

    I was born in the year of the ox ♉

    Reply
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