Pigs which follow human since ages, have inspired many idioms and proverbs, they were frequently referenced in the culture. Unfortunatelly and inequitable they become synonimus of several negative attributes like greed or dirtness.
* In Hinduism the god Vishnu took the form of a four-armed humanoid with the head of a boar named Varaha in order to save the Earth from a demon who had dragged it to the bottom of the sea.
* In Buddhism the goddess Marici, goddes of the heavens and light, solar deity is often depicted riding in a carriage hauled by several pigs.
* The Old Testament prohibits the consumption of pork: "Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are unclean to you."(Leviticus 11:7-8). Most Christians believe that the eating of pork is not prohibited, according to the teachings of the New Testament. In Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and other, older Christian groups, pigs are associated with Saint Anthony the Great, who is known as the patron saint of swineherds.
*In Judaism and Islam, pigs are the unclean and inedible animals par excellence, the animal that is central to the concepts of treif and haram.
* In the Ancient Greek epic The Odyssey, Circe magically transforms the hero's ship's crew into pigs.
* In Germany, pigs are known as a symbol for good luck. Marzipan pigs are a popular confectionery, especially as a gift on New Year's Eve.
* In 1880's New York, a tradition developed of sharing a peppermint-flavored, hard candy pig with one's family after Christmas Dinner, with the hope that it would bring health and prosperity throughout the next year.
* One of the most well known Fairy Tail wrote by Christian Andersen is titled "The Swineherd"
* In George Orwell's allegorical novel Animal Farm, the central characters who represent different Soviet leaders are pigs.
* The Pig is the lat animal of chinese Zodiac. In chinese culture pig is symbol of fertility. To be born in the Year of the Pig is considered as fortunate, children born in this year will be happy and honest.
source: Wikipedia
