Christmas is coming up. This festive time of the year returns and the lights, the bright red colors and Christmas characters flood our homes, the streets of our cities and all the storefronts.

Among these characters, we find some very curious little animals: the geese and the piglets. Have you ever wondered the meaning behind it?

In the 19th century, pigs were very common farm animals. Families with few resources used to have only one, but when Christmas came, they would gather as a special occasion and enjoy this delicious meat. In this way, the pig represented good health, prosperity and joy. Soon the symbol of this animal transcended as the main menu and was used as a shape for cookies, marzipan cake and even as a typical Christmas ornament or stuffed animal. In the Nordic countries, they are even found in candleholders and greeting cards. In some cultures, it is tradition to eat roast pork for Christmas in order to prosper for the New Year.
The goose is another famous animal for its relation with the Christmas banquet. They feed on grain remaining from crops. This is the reason why they are ready to cook just before Christmas. Their flavour and their tender meat make them ideal for succulent and affordable meals. Its use is known since Ancient Greece, Rome and even in the Middle Ages, always in celebrations related to the winter solstice or as a token of gratitude for the harvests.

Aren’t Christmas traditions curious?