Pig Symbolism & Spiritual Animal Meaning

Pigs are often underestimated as spiritual animals. In many cultures, pigs are associated with good luck, wealth, and fertility. Pigs are also considered to be intelligent and resourceful animals. For these reasons and more, pigs can make excellent spirit animals for those seeking guidance on their life path. Read on to learn more about the symbolism and spiritual animal meaning of pigs.

What Does a Pig Symbolize?

Pigs symbolize determination, strength, courage, luck, good fortune, and perseverance. Historically, they have been seen as symbols of wealth and fertility.

Pigs have long been associated with various symbols, from intelligence and prosperity to filth or even evil. Throughout history, the pig has been simultaneously venerated and reviled, worshipped by some as a god or goddess, while others view them with disdain or disgust. Symbolically, pigs are complex creatures that can represent greed, stubbornness, gluttony, and temptation. On a more positive note, they also often signify abundance and fertility in religious and secular contexts.

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Pig Facts

  1. Pigs are highly intelligent and social animals.
  2. Pigs have an excellent sense of smell, even better than that of a bloodhound!
  3. A pig’s squeal can be as loud as 115 decibels – comparable to a rock concert’s noise level.
  4. The life expectancy for pigs ranges from 5-15 years, depending on breed and living conditions.
  5. Piglets learn to run to their mother’s voice within days after birth
  6. Wild boars were domesticated about 5000 years ago in Asia, Europe, and North Africa
  7. Female pigs (sows) give birth to between two and twelve piglets at once!
  8. Pigs use grunts, squeaks, oinks, and other vocalizations to communicate with each other
  9. Domesticated pigs have been known to eat almost anything, including fruit scraps, garbage, or dead animals
  10. Pigs don’t sweat, which is why they love mud baths – it cools them down!

What Does It Mean When You See a Pig?

Depending on the culture and our individual experiences, the sight of a pig may have feelings associated with it ranging from good luck and fortune to feelings of disgust or revulsion.

On an emotional level, this animal can evoke reactions to qualities such as strength, intelligence, or silliness.

Symbolically, a pig could represent fertility or wealth, but also something more sinister such as greed or gluttony; alternatively, it could be read purely in terms of its traditional connection to sustenance through food sources.

Ultimately, any individual’s reaction to seeing a pig will be far more dependent on how the encounter is framed by their personal life experience than strictly following any established cultural lexicon.

what does it mean when you see a pig

What Do Pigs Symbolize in Arts and Literature?

Pigs have often been used as symbols in art and literature throughout history. In George Orwell’s famous animal-based novel Animal Farm, the pig represents a tyrannical or oppressive leader.

pig with book

This is seen throughout the novel as the pigs can manipulate and control other animals through fear or intimidation while they selfishly accomplish their own goals. Additionally, pigs have often been portrayed as symbols of gluttony, stemming from an ancient Roman understanding that material pleasure should not be indulged in unsustainably.

Such an idea has been perpetuated through art and literature for centuries and has likely been used to remind people to practice moderation in their pursuits for luxury.

Pig Spirit Animal

To many, a pig spirit animal is an unlikely mascot. But the truth is that pigs possess many of the same traits associated with spiritual and personal development.

pig spirit animal

They are creatures that are highly intelligent, loyal, and adaptive. Even though they may appear lazy at times, they are industrious animals that know how to use their free time wisely. On top of this, pigs also have incredibly strong intuitive senses, making them invaluable allies in difficult situations.

Pig Totem Animal

The pig totem animal is a powerful symbol of abundance and wealth. This robust creature is known for its indulgent, carefree nature, which is often associated with enjoying life’s pleasures.

This totem animal can teach us to take a break and relax as sometimes we need to step back and enjoy all that life has to offer – something pigs can certainly do! All those under the pig totem will find themselves drawn to frivolous activities like dancing or art, allowing them to express their creativity without fear.

Pig Dream Meanings

In many cultures, pigs represent prosperity and wealth – making them powerful symbols in dream interpretation.

sleeping woman dreaming about pigs

Some interpret pig dreams as indicating an affinity with abundance and nurturing, while others suggest they could symbolize luck or even a connection to past lives.

Pig Meaning in Tarot

In Tarot, the pig can represent being comfortable in one’s self and embracing one’s body without judgment or criticism. It can also signify a more literal abundance—wealth, material goods, and success.

When the pig appears in a Tarot spread, it could suggest that taking care of oneself can lead to flourishing relationships with others and achieving goals confidently.

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Pig Meaning in the Bible And Christianity

In the Bible, pigs represent obstacles or challenges that can keep humans from achieving their desired outcome. In Christianity, pigs symbolize either an unwillingness to change evil habits or someone not open to God’s will.

Although they are typically seen as unclean and untouchable animals in the Bible, some passages indicate a more positive image of the pig, suggesting that it also represents strength and resilience.

Pig Mythology, Folklore, and Symbolism in Different Cultures

Ancient Egypt

Pigs played an important role in ancient Egyptian mythology as symbols of fertility, health, and strength. They were often linked with goddesses of maternity, such as Isis or Nut.

ancient egypt style pig

In some stories, they also represented Seth, the God of chaos and storms, a symbol of evil that had to be fought off. Thus, the pig carried many different symbolic meanings in Egyptian folklore.

Mesopotamia and Assyria

Pigs were looked to for healing. They also believed the fat from a pig could help ward off demons or appease them. In some ancient healing ceremonies, a pig would be symbolically killed by anointing with hot oil. Its head would be presented to an officiating priest so that he could place his hand upon it and bless it before the healing process began.

Greek

Pigs have been a strong symbol in Greek mythology, representing abundance and fertility. On a practical level, pigs were often used in religious moments as offerings made to gods or deities meant to symbolize prosperity.

The meat offered was of great importance due to the lack of protein sources available to most Greeks; thus, sacrificing an animal, especially such a valuable one as the pig, was seen as one of the greatest gifts that could be bestowed upon their gods. It also showed faith and commitment on behalf of worshippers and solidified relationships between humans and gods.

Roman

According to the scholar Michael MacKinnon, the Romans considered pork the finest of meats, enjoying a variety of dishes and not sparing any expense when it came to their favorite animal.

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Pigs were a common sight in almost every known archaeological site in Roman Italy; texts like Cato and Varro’s Agricultural Description and Pliny the Elder’s Natural History go into great detail about pig farming and other details about the animal.

Celtic

Though abundant in nature, pigs have come to symbolize abundance on a spiritual level, with their capacity for fertility and growth. Images of the fierce wild boar are very popular in ancient Celtic art and can still be seen today adorning walls and monuments throughout Scotland.

celtic style pig

Pigs also frequently appear in oral traditions tales, where they often stand as avatars for powerful archetypal forces or rely heavily on metaphors for transformation.

Norse

In Norse mythology, pigs are associated with great strength and fertility. The god Freyr possessed a great boar to ride on named Gullibursti, which translates as Golden Bristles in English. His twin sister Freyja also had her boar, Hildisvíni, which meant Battle Swine.

To the Anglo-Saxons of the same era, the wild boar was a symbol of courage and abundant fecundity. So much so that its visage decorated the helmets of many warriors going into battle.

Native American

In Native American mythology, pigs are associated with a variety of meanings and symbols.

Native American style pig
  • Among the Lakota Sioux, they are seen as a symbol of nature’s abundance and providence.
  • To the Navajo, they represent bravery, persistence, and strength.
  • The Ojibwe connect them with fertility, while in many other tribes, they signify luck or good fortune.

There is also a long tradition of using pig-based stories to teach children wise lessons such as thriftiness, compassion, or being content with what you have. Pigs are also highly social animals, reflecting their significance as the epitome of strong family bonds in Native American tribes.

China

In ancient China, pigs were believed to symbolize wealth and prosperity due to their portly shape that resembled stocked granaries. Pigs were associated with the deceased because they slept in graves and consumed the remains of humans buried within them. 

Moreover, the pig is a part of a well-known Chinese Luck Cycle, which follows the animal represented each year in recognition of the Chinese Zodiac; 2019 was celebrated as The Year of the Pig

Furthermore, pigs also embody luck, fortune, fertility, and good luck blessings in various folklore throughout China. They are considered guardians against evil entities and a talisman for health and riches. 

Hinduism

Pigs represent Lord Varaha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu tasked with rescuing the earth from the sea and restoring it to its former glory. Thus, according to Hindu rituals, thanksgiving is offered to pigs for their ecstatic ability to take away sorrows and grant success by providing positive energy.

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Hinduism style pig

They are also known for having the power to bring luck into one’s life. Furthermore, these symbols evoke a sense of confidence among deities and invoke divine blessings upon people.

Judaism

In Judaism, pigs are not considered clean animals, so many Jewish people do not eat them. However, this does not stop the animal from having an important symbolic function in the religion.

Pigs have been used to guard flocks of sheep due to their heightened sense of smell and vigilance – traits associated with fidelity and reliability. It is thought that pigs symbolize messengers sent by God due to similarly attributed traits between wild boars and guardian angels.

Buddhism

Specifically, the pig is seen as a representation of all the worldly desires that hold us back from achieving spiritual enlightenment — lust for pleasure, material possessions, or even food.

In Tibetan Buddhism, it is deeply embedded into the Wheel of Dharma—the cycle of cause and effect that binds us to our materialistic existence. To transcend worldly desires and make progress on our spiritual journey, we must first identify and overcome them.

FAQ

Why are pigs lucky in Germany?

Pigs are also associated with abundance and wealth, making them popular symbols of prosperity. In German culture, pig images are often given as gifts to bring prosperity and good luck into the recipient’s life.

How is pig symbolism used in politics?

Pig symbolism is often used to describe greed and excess in politics. This can be seen through phrases like “pork barrel spending,” which refers to wasteful government spending. Pigs are also used to criticize politicians or policies seen as greedily taking advantage of the public for personal gain.

Final Words – Pig Symbolism

Pigs have been used symbolically throughout many cultures and religions, from Native American tribes to China. They are often seen as lucky symbols of fertility, abundance, and providence.

Other spiritual meanings may include spiritual guardians against evil entities, messengers sent by God, and symbols of overcoming worldly desires. Often these symbolic interpretations depend on the cultural context in which they are being used.

Unique spiritual meanings can be found in animals worldwide, offering us spiritual insight and inspiration.

It is clear that pigs play an important role in our understanding of the world around us through their symbolism – whether it’s luck or something else entirely!

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Christina Johnson

About the Author

My name is Christina, and I am the founder of centerspirited. Being a physiotherapist for several years I have found that many people, including myself, don’t achieve well-being only from a physical point of view. I’ve always viewed a person’s body, soul, and emotions as a whole construct of beauty. Always being a yoga enthusiast, I finally became an instructor myself. On a secret mission to capture spirituality in all of her beautiful shapes, I found myself being guided on a way through ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle. Through this platform, I will hopefully be able to help other beautiful souls out there find their inner peace and bond with their spiritual selves.