Ich habe Schwein gehabt, which means “I have had a pig”. Culturally this meant you have had good luck. The meaning originating amongst farm families who could survive the winter because they had a pig to provide them with meat. From this Pigs became a Christmas and New year symbol of good luck and fortune in Germany, Denmark and other Teutonic countries. The pig is always white, not spotted, not brown, and combined with other symbols of good luck such as mushrooms, lucky coin, and a clovers. During the Christmas and New Years my Swedish family would place a whole blanched almond into rice pudding, cakes, and breads. Whoever would get the almond would have good luck for the New Year.
Here is my gift to you a marzipan pig, or Glucksschwein, may it bring you good luck and fortune for 2012!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Thank you Julie – did you make the pig yourself? Thanks for sharing these traditions. I love learning about all the cultural differences, it’s fascinating.
I remember tradition in England was the first person to cross the threshold on New Year’s Day had to bring with them a piece of coal for good luck. To make sure this happened, my Dad would stand outside with a piece of coal just before midnight and Mum and I would call him indoors as soon as Big Ben struck.
Happy New Year to all the AT family.
I LOVE IT! Have you continued the tradition?
I bought the Glucksschwein in Germany.
Shamefully I can’t say I have, but I have continued some other Christmas traditions such as sweet mince pies, Christmas pudding etc. No coincidence the traditions I kept all involved food! Guess I’ll never have the physique of Susan!
Since you are the holder of the Glucksschwein, may you have the best good luck and fortune of all. Happy New Year!
Thanks for that great story, Julie! Happy New Year to you and a belated Happy Christmas, too!
Happy New Year to all the AT family! Best Wishes for 2012.
I second – Happy New Year to all. I thought it was a pickle – I got a glass pickle ornament from Germany one year. Hmmm. On to Google.
Betsy and Mister Tanner