In many Nordic countries it is customary to give marzipan pigs for the new year: a symbol of prosperity and good wishes.
The pig has been a symbol of prosperity since ancient times
The pig, since ancient times, has been considered a lucky animal, thanks to its association with fertility and abundance. In peasant cultures, owning pigs represented a guarantee of economic and nutritional well-being, being a safe source of meat and resources. This animal therefore became an emblem of wealth, success and prosperity, a meaning that was also transmitted in the form of popular symbols and traditions.
The origins of marzipan: where does this dessert come from?
Marzipan is one of the oldest and most fascinating confectionery preparations, whose history is intertwined with different and distant cultures. The term itself has uncertain and controversial origins: some scholars believe it derives from the Latin “marci panis”, i.e. “Mark’s bread”, while others trace the etymology to the Arabic “maw-thabán”, the name of a coin of Middle Eastern silver. The latter, curiously, corresponded to a specific quantity of a mixture based on sugar, almonds and rose water, a direct ancestor of modern marzipan.
Although the Arab contribution is undeniable, traces of sweets similar to marzipan already exist among the ancient Etruscans, who used them in funeral rituals, but the first codified recipe for marzipan dates back to 1300 and comes from Venice. The Serenissima, thanks to its commercial traffic, was one of the few cities to have rare and precious ingredients such as sugar and almonds, which became the protagonists of this refined dessert. It is no coincidence that Venice still claims paternity of the name, which could be a tribute to San Marco, the patron saint of the city.
The origins of this tradition
The custom of giving marzipan pigs as gifts is particularly widespread in Northern European countries, such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In Germany, the pig has always been associated with luck, so much so that the popular saying “Schwein haben” (“to have a pig”) is used to indicate someone who has had a lot of luck. This tradition has also found space in Italy, especially in the northern regions influenced by Germanic cultures, where marzipan pigs appear in pastry shops during the end-of-year holidays.
The current meaning of an ancient gesture
Giving a marzipan pig today means much more than offering a simple dessert. It is a gesture full of history and symbolism, a way to wish prosperity and joy with a touch of elegance and originality. In the frenzy of the modern world, this ancient custom represents a reminder of the traditions of the past, capable of bringing a smile and a sincere wish to those who receive it.
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