Pig Family

Let's learn more about Pigs

Pigs are incredibly smart animals, and their high level of intelligence consistently ranks them as one of the smartest animals in the world. Research into their high cognitive ability shows that they can play complex games, use tools, recognize their own name, and learn basic commands and tricks.

People often love pigs because they are considered intelligent, playful, social animals with distinct personalities, capable of forming strong bonds with humans, and are often seen as very affectionate and cuddly, making them enjoyable companions when kept as pets; they are also known to be very clean animals, refusing to defecate where they sleep and eat if given the choice.

discovery

Study of Pigs

The pig (Sus domesticus), also called swine (pl.: swine) or hog, is an omnivorous, domesticated, even-toed, hoofed mammal. It is named the domestic pig when distinguishing it from other members of the genus Sus. It is considered a subspecies of Sus scrofa (the wild boar or Eurasian boar) by some authorities, but as a distinct species by others. Pigs were domesticated in the Neolithic

Pigs are farmed primarily for meat, called pork. The animal's skin or hide is used for leather. China is the world's largest pork producer, followed by the European Union and then the United States. Around 1.5 billion pigs are raised each year, producing some 120 million tonnes of meat, often cured as bacon. Some are kept as pets.

Pigs have featured in human culture since Neolithic times, appearing in art and literature for children and adults, and celebrated in cities such as Bologna for their meat products.

Did you know that pigs are...

There are a lot of misconceptions about pigs, but here are interesting facts about pigs that will help you see them differently.

Pigs are very clean animals

Despite my mother consistently calling my bedroom a pigsty growing up, pigs are actually very clean animals. In fact, they’re some of the cleanest animals around and refuse to defecate where they sleep and eat if given the choice. Even newborn piglets will leave their sleeping areas to relieve themselves!

PIGS CAN'T SWEAT

Sweating like a pig” is another misleading and commonly used phrase since pigs can’t sweat! Pigs don’t have many sweat glands, so they roll around and sleep in mud and swim in water to keep cool. A bonus to rolling in mud: it helps keep a pig’s skin from getting sunburned.

PIGS ARE SMARTER THAN DOGS

It’s true! Pigs have the intelligence of a human toddler and are ranked as the fifth most intelligent animal in the world! In fact, pigs are more intelligent and trainable than any breed of dog. They learn their names in just two weeks and come when they’re called. Pigs are even capable of playing video games better than some primates.

MOTHER PIGS SING TO THEIR BABIES

This is one of the sweetest facts about pigs: mother pigs sing to their babies while nursing. Newborn piglets learn to run towards their mothers’ voices, and pigs constantly communicate with each other. They have more than 20 distinct grunts and squeals that have been identified and range from expressing hunger to calling for mates.

PIGS LOVE BELLY RUBS!

Social animals, pigs love to use trees to rub and scratch on and enjoy belly rubs from their human caretakers! They even enjoy various enrichment toys and playing with each other.

PIGS HAVE AN EXCELLENT SENSE OF DIRECTION

Pigs are navigators: they can find their way home over large distances. They can often trot long distances and can reach up to 11 miles per hour running.

PIGS DREAM AND LIKE TO SLEEP NOSE-TO-NOSE

Have you ever seen a piggy pile? Pigs love to stay connected with each other by sleeping close together, often making sure to touch their friends while they drift off to dreamland! Few animals are more social than pigs, who form close bonds with other pigs and humans.

PIGS HAVE EXCELLENT MEMORIES

Remember when we said pigs are incredibly intelligent and can play video games better than some primates? Well, a pig wouldn’t forget that! Pigs have exceptional memories, especially when it comes to object location. If they find a great spot for grub, they’ll remember to look at the exact spot again!

hISTORY OF PIGS

Pigs have been domesticated for thousands of years, with evidence of their existence dating back to around 5000 BC. They were first domesticated in the Near East and quickly spread to other regions of the world. Pigs were an important source of food for many ancient cultures, providing meat, fat, and hides. In the Middle Ages, pigs were commonly kept in towns and villages for their ability to eat waste and garbage, making them valuable "scavengers." Today, pigs are raised for their meat in large-scale commercial farming operations around the world.

5000 BC
Domestication of pigs
The domestication of pigs dates back to around 5000 BC in various regions such as China, India, and the Middle East. These early domesticated pigs were used for their meat and other resources, and became an important source of food for many ancient civilizations.

1493
Pigs introduced to the Americas
Pigs were brought to the Americas by Christopher Columbus during his second voyage in 1493. These pigs quickly multiplied and spread throughout the continent, becoming an important source of food for the indigenous peoples and European settlers.

18th century
Selective breeding of pigs
In the 18th century, selective breeding of pigs became more common, leading to the development of specific breeds with desired traits such as size, color, and meat quality. This marked the beginning of modern pig farming practices.

1940s
Industrialization of pig farming
The 1940s saw the industrialization of pig farming with the introduction of intensive confinement systems and the use of antibiotics and growth hormones to enhance production. This shift towards large-scale, factory-style farming has had a significant impact on the pig industry.

Present
Modern pig farming practices
Today, pigs are one of the most important livestock animals in the world, with over 1 billion pigs raised for meat production annually. Modern pig farming practices continue to evolve, with a focus on animal welfare, sustainability, and efficiency in production.

Pigs in culture

Pigs, widespread in societies around the world since Neolithic times, have been used for many purposes in art, literature, and other expressions of human culture. In classical times, the Romans considered pork the finest of meats, enjoying sausages, and depicting them in their art. Across Europe, pigs have been celebrated in carnivals since the Middle Ages, becoming specially important in Medieval Germany in cities such as Nuremberg, and in Early Modern Italy in cities such as Bologna.Pigs, especially miniature breeds, are occasionally kept as pets.

In literature, both for children and adults, pig characters appear in allegories, comic stories, and serious novels. In art, pigs have been represented in a wide range of media and styles from the earliest times in many cultures. Pig names are used in idioms and animal epithets, often derogatory, since pigs have long been linked with dirtiness and greed,while places such as Swindon are named for their association with swine. The eating of pork is forbidden in Islam and Judaism, but pigs are sacred in some other religions.

gREAT FORTUNE

PIGS AS LUCKY SYMBOLS

Many people associate pigs with being unclean, but it is a fact that the pig is a lucky symbol in many cultures. As this is a site about good luck symbols, our focus will be more on the positive symbolism of the pig.

The pig is a symbol of prosperity, fertility and lots of good luck. Swine farmers were known to always have food. Keeping pigs was a sure way of insuring your family’s well-being.

WESTERN SYMBOLISM

As the old Irish saying goes; “The pig is the gentleman who pays the rent”.
In Germany they say “Glücksschwein”, which translates to lucky pig.
Pig decorations and illustrations on good luck and best wishes cards are common in Germany. This is especially true around New Year.
Candy in shapes of pigs symbolizes wishes of prosperity and luck. Marzipan pigs are sold in the thousands every December in Northern Europe.
In Norwegian the term “heldiggris” is very common. It literally translates to “lucky pig”.
The term is purely positive manner meaning “Wow, you are lucky”. In Swedish it is “tur gris” and in Danish it is “heldig gris”. In Iceland they say “heppinn svín”.

piGS AS WEALTH SYMBOLS

We might know the Piggybank money symbol.
Pigs are associated with wealth. Many wear small pig charms to attract money and good luck.

Pigs have a history of insuring a family’s finances. Pig charms remain popular to this day. The piggybank is a worldwide symbol of money. Feeding our piggybank with coins is an undisputable sign that we are caring for our financial future.

Piggybanks are thought to protect and attract money.

pIGS IN ASIAN CULTURE

Feng Shui Pig -- Pigs are a symbol of wealth and good luck in traditional Chinese culture. They can attract wealth and success, improve interpersonal relationships and bring good luck.

The Pig in the Chinese Zodiac
The pig was the final animal to arrive to the feast of the Jade Emperor and thereby secured a place in the zodiac.

Each year is connected to an element; wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

In very general terms the pig is told to be sociable, popular, passionate and reliable. They may be quick tempered. It is a Yin sign.

The year of the pig comes every twelve years:

Pig Year Chinese Zodiac

Feb 4, 1935 – Jan 23, 1936 (wood)

Jan 22, 1947 – Feb 9, 1948 (fire)

Feb 8, 1959 – Jan 27, 1960 (earth)

Jan 27, 1971 – Feb 14, 1972 (metal)

Feb 13, 1983 – Feb 1, 1984 (water)

Jan 31, 1995 – Feb 18, 1996 (wood)

Feb 18, 2007 – Feb 6, 2008 (fire)

Feb 5, 2019 – Jan 24, 2020 (earth)

Jan 23, 2031 – Feb 10, 2032 (metal)

Feb 10, 2043 – Jan 29, 2044 (water)

Pigs in NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Freyr was one of the principle gods in Norse mythology. He was the very handsome and kind god associated with the light and the sun. Freyr was a fertility god and also a god of prosperity and peace.
His twin sister was Freyja, the goddess of sorcery, love, lust, beauty, and death.
Freyr riding pig Gullinbursti. The boar named Gullinbursti belonged to Freyr. This was no ordinary pig; this boar could easily and smoothly fly across the sky as well as over great oceans. Freyr loved to travel on the back of Gullinbursti.

Another famous pig in Norse myth is named Saehrimnir.
This magical boar was slaughtered every evening in Valhalla and served to all the Vikings who resided there after their death in the human world. Any Viking who died in battle was secured a place in Valhalla. All day long they spent fighting and every evening there was a huge feast.

If any Viking was unfortunate enough to “die” during these fights not to worry; they all came back to “life” again in time for the feast. The same boar, Saehrimnir is served every day. The reason this was possible is that the Vikings believed Saehrimnir was restored back to life every morning.

hIndu gods

Lord Vishnu as a Boar

Vishnu, the Hindu god of protection and preservation has ten well known avatars.
They are as follows; Matsya, the Fish – Kurma, the turtle – Varaha, the boar – Narasimha, the man-lion – Vamana, the dwarf – Parsuram –Lord Rama – Lord Krishna – The Buddha and finally he will be reincarnated as the Kalki (believers are still waiting for this to happen).

Vishnu Varaha Boar
In his third reincarnation Vishnu was the boar who came on a very important mission. An evil demon named Hiranyaksha had pulled Mother Earth to the bottom of the ocean. Vishnu, as the boar Varaha came to the rescue. After a long and fierce fight with Hiranyaksha he killed the demon. Varaha (Lord Vishnu) then lifted the Earth up from the ocean and back in place. The Earth was saved and life could continue.