Page 298 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
P. 298
A-Z 291
is most suitable for a particular job, what medicine should one take, what sort of
amulet should one wear, etc. Here we see the creatures of mythology joining forces
with occultism.
Pig
zhu
The pig is the last of the twelve creatures in the Chinese zodiac: it symbolises
virility. The Chinese pig can be black or white. The founding father of the
Kitan, a non-Chinese people who came from Manchuria to rule large areas of North
China between 916 and 1122, is supposed to have had a pig’s head; and for this reason
the Kitan would not, it seems, eat pork. Nor do Chinese Muslims eat it, in keeping
with universal Islamic precept. Since the god Xuan-tan is a Muslim, no pork should be
offered to him in sacrifice either. Girls should not eat knuckle of pork, as this
suggests pregnancy; pregnant women are given this dish, however, as it is supposed to be
very nourishing both for mother and unborn child. ‘Eating roast pork’ is a metaphor for
sexual intercourse.
The pig betokens good luck in an examination
The ‘river-pig’ (he zhu) is a kind of abalone or sea-mussel, which can be very
poisonous indeed, but which is much eaten by the Chinese.
