pig

pig:

see swine.

Pig

The pig is a traditional European symbol of good luck and abundance. The invention of ceramic coin jars for children, traditionally made in the shape of a pig and therefore known as "piggy banks," was inspired by this symbolism. In past times this symbolism also inspired girls to wear pig-shaped charms on charm bracelets. Men once wore similar charms on their watch chains.

In many European countries a traditional Easter feast features pork (see also Lamb). Some explain this preference for pork at Easter time with reference to the pig's role as a symbol of abundance. Others, however, believe that this custom began in medieval times as a jab at the Jews for their refusal to accept Jesus as the Messiah (for more on Messiah, see Jesus). Traditional Jewish dietary laws prohibit Jews from eating pork. Christians, however, understood themselves to have been released from the obligation to follow these laws through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So they celebrated Easter by eating pork. Many Europeans still enjoy feasting on pork at Easter time. In the United States ham serves as a traditional Easter dish.

Further Reading

Myers, Robert J. Celebrations: The Complete Book of American Holidays. Garden City, NY: Doubleday and Company, 1972. Weiser, Francis X. The Easter Book. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1954.

Pig (Boar)

(religion, spiritualism, and occult)

The Pig is one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. It refers to one of the 12 earthly branches that are used in Chinese astrology, together with the 10 heavenly stems. Such a branch designates one day every 12 days: the days are named according to a sexagesimal (60) cycle, made of 10 series of 12 branches.

Kind, affectionate, scrupulous, courteous, and without problems, the Pig is a nice person—too nice, perhaps, for he may get on people’s nerves. On the other hand, this generous and peaceful person may prove to be too innocent. Fortunately, he has a lot of luck. He often is a cultured intellectual and he enjoys food. He likes nature and solitude.

—Michele Delemme

Pig

 

in metallurgy, a small ingot of metal—such as pig iron, a nonferrous metal, or a ferroalloy—in the shape of a bar, usually with a contraction. Pigs are cast horizontally in a mold that is open at the top in, for example, casting machines.

What does it mean when you dream about a pig?

Dreaming of a pig may symbolize dirtiness, greediness, or selfishness. For example, someone who overindulges in food is said to eat “like a pig,” and a dirty or slovenly person is sometimes disparagingly called a”pig.” Alternatively, the pig may represent feasting and opulence, as in banquets where the roasted pig with an apple in its mouth is the adorned centerpiece on the table. In Chinese astrology, the pig is the twelfth sign of the zodiac and symbolizes manly strength.

pig

[pig]

(electronics)

An ion source based on the same principle as the Philips ionization gage.

Philips ionization gage

(engineering)

In-line scraper (brush, blade cutter, or swab) forced through pipelines by fluid pressure; used to remove scale, sand, water, and other foreign matter from the interior surfaces of the pipe.

(metallurgy)

A crude metal casting prepared for storage, transportation, or remelting.

(nucleonics)

A heavily shielded container, usually lead, used to ship or store radioisotopes and other radioactive materials.

(vertebrate zoology)

Any wild or domestic mammal of the superfamily Suoidea in the order Artiodactyla; toes terminate in nails which are modified into hooves, the tail is short, and the body is covered sparsely with hair which is frequently bristlelike.

pig

medieval symbol of avarice. [Art: Hall, 247]

See: Greed

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pig

attribute of lust personified. [Art: Hall, 247]

See: Lust

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pig

mean, sadistic tyrant; epitome of human horridness. [Br. Lit.: Animal Farm]

See: Tyranny

pig

1. any artiodactyl mammal of the African and Eurasian family Suidae, esp Sus scrofa (domestic pig), typically having a long head with a movable snout, a thick bristle-covered skin, and, in wild species, long curved tusks

2. 

a. a mass of metal, such as iron, copper, or lead, cast into a simple shape for ease of storing or transportation

b. a mould in which such a mass of metal is formed

3. an automated device propelled through a duct or pipeline to clear impediments or check for faults, leaks, etc.

Pig

(dreams)

Dreaming about this animal in your dream forces you to consider the negative characteristics of yourself or others. There are not many positive characteristics associated with pigs. In some cultures pigs are considered to be very “dirty” and unfit for human consumption. At times, men are referred to as “pigs” for their sexual desires or attitudes. Pigs are also associated with other negative characteristics: greed, stubbornness, and gluttony. Are you (or someone important to you) being “hoggish” with money, time, food, energy, or personal possessions? Superstition-based dream interpretations say that the pig in a dream may suggest a frustrating time in family affairs but success in business. In some cultures the pig is a symbol of prosperity because the families owning one are assured of food for an entire year. As a dream symbol it represents “korist, ” which is loosely translated to mean a valuable possession or event. Animals