Pig Symbolism - Symbolic Meaning

Pig

The Pig is a widely used symbol in esoteric practices.

With many meanings and symbolism's attached to it, it can come to mean many things. The pig is often viewed as a laid back animal. It does not easily attack or angered, but chooses to enjoy life. It symbolizes prosperity, wealth and abundance. Having a fattened pig is a bringer of good luck for many reasons. The Pig is thought to bring luck to farmers as it brings in a good crop as well as rains. The pig is a powerful symbol as it brings all these good things. It is however to be tempered as at times, Pig overindulges and is not aware of the dangers that surround it. Pigs are large animals normally on average around 700 lbs and they present the fullness in life spiritually.

Here are a few keywords associated with it.

Earthly desires.
Abundance.
Honesty.
Trusting.
Fertility.
Agriculture.
Intelligence.
Wealth.
Sow is connected with femininity.
Boar is connected with masculinity.
Connection with the Earth.
Generosity.

Pig as a Totem Animal

There are many symbolism's as well as teachings that the Pig gives us as a totem. It can help us if we learn to listen to its message. Here are its meanings:

Generosity and Wealth: The Pig is a symbol of wealth. In its normal state it brings about luck and prosperity and is a natural lover of earthly possessions. However the Pig does not greedily consume these possessions, it is also generous and gives to those it cares for. It is naturally attracted to wealth but knows how to share as well.
Intelligence: Highly intelligent, the Pig gives us access to becoming smarter and to knowledge. The Pig naturally loves knowledge and through it we too can learn from the many sources that surround us. It is also able to use this knowledge to acquire many treasures.
Connection to the Earth and Abundance: As an animal, it is the one most strongly connected to the earth. It keeps its head down low to forage from the ground but naturally can gain immense size from what it finds. It is linked to being abundant as the Pig will seek to gain more and more. Through this, we have access to gaining so much but still remain grounded.

Pig in different cultures

In biblical as well as Islamic texts, the Pig is viewed at times as an unclean animal. The Pig figures heavily in Chinese culture as a symbol of luck, prosperity and wealth. It is said to bring great fortune and attract wealth. The Pig’ symbol is also used as fierce warriors as well as steeds in Eastern lore. It persists as a popular symbol in many ancient beliefs and religions, often being a favorite animal for sacrifice as it denotes abundance. The symbolic and spiritual meaning of pigs varies according to place and culture. In the earlier Egyptian cultures, the pig was seen as a Great Mother. Pigs were symbols of abundance and fertility. The pig was sacred to Isis – a symbol of fertility. I know that the pig may provide you with some negative thoughts. While researching the symbol of a pig I came across many different references in ancient folklore. The ancient Celts honored the pig as a mother provider figure. Celtic people who looked after many pigs believed they are symbols of abundance because their number never declined – they kept on breeding! A heard of pigs was forever developing. Also, in Celtic Symbolism, pigs were associated with Phaea and Ceridwen – both fertility moon goddesses. The hog symbolized masculinity, fertility, and strength in ancient Chinese cultures. According to the Chinese zodiac, the pig is a representation of honesty, sincerity, and determination. While in Hindy symbolism, they linked the pig to Vajravarahi – female partner of Vishnu. The Greeks used pigs as a sacrifice to goddesses associated with agriculture and farming such as Gaia, Ares, and Demeter in order to ensure successful growing seasons and bumper crops. Native Americans connected the pig with rain, thus, the symbolic meaning of pigs is linked to abundance, agriculture, and fertility. In Buddhism, the pig is associated with the opposite of everything we’ve mentioned about the connection in other cultures.

Association with Celestial Forces

The Pig is closely related to the Earth Mother or Mother Goddess force. Many beliefs, from old Roman and Greek religions to Celtic religions associate the Pig with this great feminine force of the Earth. The Pig is said to a bringer of fertility, life and abundance. It symbolizes the richness and power of the Earth. Crone, Demeter as well as Aphrodite favored pigs as their symbols. All goddesses symbolize fertility and connection the earth and earthly desires and treasures.

Pigs in Alchemy

Pigs are a powerful symbol in alchemy. As they are connected with the forces of the Earth, alchemists can draw upon this power to aid them in their works. The pig brings not only Earthly power, but also a natural attraction to knowledge and treasures, both in the material and spiritual plane. The pig in Buddhism was a symbol of ignorance. The black pig is depicted on the Buddhist wheel of existence. This wheel represents one of 3 fantasies of man in the Buddhist philosophy:

Fantasies of desires and thought.
Fantasies innumerable as particles of sand and dust.
Fantasies about the real nature of life.

All this said, the pig is connected to preventing people from achieving “Nirvana” – the highest state that a person can attain in the Buddhist tradition. In ancient Christian symbolism, the pig signifies laziness and greed, while Muslims, Jews, and other Islamic cultures see the pig as something ‘unclean’. Thus, they are ‘forbidden’ to eat pork.

What is the pig symbolism?

Pig symbolism is also closely related to Wild Boars. They are incredibly cruel and fast when it comes to hunting. According to animal totem literature, the Wild Boar is the perfect spirit animal to call when you have great aspirations or want to postpone something. The energy from the Wild Boar will help you ‘hunt’ or ‘catch’ whatever you want that’s very important to you. Also, pigs are considered as the smartest animals with a mental age of a four-year-old. They can be easily trained. Often times, you can easily train a pig rather than a dog. Most people never spend time with these animals, this, they falsely underestimate their intelligence. Use this to your advantage. Pigs don’t care what others think of them.

What is the spiritual symbol of a pig mean?

They appear to not be concerned if you think they’re stupid, lazy and filthy. They’re only focused on their own lives and progress. You should follow their steps. Pigs accomplish their goals regardless. Pigs as an animal totem (in meditation or spiritually) indicate that you can see success coming. And sometimes, staying out of their sight will help you seize the day. According to the ancient texts, pigs are a symbol of self-worth – knowing your self-worth and appreciate yourself even if others don’t see your potential and think of you as someone who’s lazy, stupid and unclean.

This spirit animal also manifests gratitude, security, wealth, ability to stand on your two feet and become independent, and self-awareness. When you feel pig around your soul, it means that the time for moving on has come. Pigs have a nose for new opportunities. Seize whatever opportunity that’s coming to you and make most out of your life and yourself. If you dislike some opportunity, seize another one and find your way to happiness. If you choose Pig as your Totem Animal, or it chose you then you’re the kind of person who lives in their own reality. The Pig Animal Totem will bring you good luck, especially with money.

Pig in Spirit realms and the Earth plane depend mostly on their sense of smell. Pigs know how to survive even the worst weather conditions and climate changes. They can guide you through profound transformations and renew your passion in life. Did you know that some gamblers carry pig figures for luck? As I have mentioned before, the pig represents fertility, thus, you might give birth soon. Or have a progressive career. Or growing business. If the pig is your totem, you must be honorable, resourceful and compassionate. Your voice is always clear. Pigs are connected in meditation to our throat Chakra according to buddism. As myths say, Gods who ate pigs never aged. Thus, the pig totem empowers you to maintain your eternal youth.

What does it mean to dream of a pig?

In dreams, the domestic pig symbolizes fertility, while the wild one represents unbalance and lust. If you’re feeding the pig in your dream, it means you will be followed by good luck. But if you were attacked by the pig, it foretells a message. You’re being warned about being greedy or materialistic about something. I have further explained the dream meaning of a pig in this detailed article. Click here.