Archive -> March 19, 2005

Easter Ham

Among the Indo-European, the pig has always been a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Many traces of this ancient symbolism are still in our present day and time. In some popular German expressions the word “pig” is synonymous with “good luck” (schwein haben or “have pig”). At one time men would wear little figures of pigs as good luck charms on their watch chains. Saving boxes for children in the figure of a pig (piggy banks) carry out this ancient symbolism of so-called good luck and prosperity.

It is an age-old custom handed down from pre-Christian times to eat the meat of this animal on festive occasions. At Easter, smoked or cooked ham, as well as lamb, has been eaten by most people from ancient times, and is the traditional Easter dish in America.

. . . Remember, the eating of swine was one of the reasons why the Tribe of Israel was destroyed:

Isaiah 65:2-4 (KJV)
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way [that was] not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable [things is in] their vessels;

Excerpted from The Fallacy of Easter by Dr. Malachi Z. York