Many countries have traditions and they can grow into lucky charms. Austria is no stranger to ancient superstition, and the tiny pig goes back centuries in its meaning.
History Of The Pig Good Luck Charm
The original practice of considering pigs lucky charms goes back a long way in the Germanic ethno-culture. It holds a positive connotation associated with farming, livestock, prosperity and wealth. Many Germanic people once considered the pig a symbol that their agricultural life was lively and abundant.
Why The Pig Charm Brings Luck
The symbol of the swine or even a boar is sacred and relates to a god that controls joy, harvest, fertility, and prosperity. It is also believed in modern times that wearing or eating a pig, or something shaped like a pig, such as cookies, would bring luck for the following year.
How To Use The Pig Charm
Worn as a necklace or pin most often in Austria is usually on New Year’s Eve. Other ways to use the pig charm include silver and gold charm amulets for a bracelet, Christmas ornament, blown-glass, marzipan candy and cookies, peppermint candies, toys, money banks, and even postcards that bring good luck.
How The Pig Charm Is Made
Many pig charms are factory-made and bought in Austria, but some can be crafted in the home as something to eat, hang, or send in the mail.
How To Make The Pig Charm At Home
To make you pig charm at home, you will need some polymer clay, an acrylic brayer or pasta machine, small beads for the eyes, some cutters, and an oven.
Instructions:
1. You will first want to mix your choices of colored clay in order to create a pig pink blend. Knead it completely so it all the same color. Now you put your clay through a pasta machine, using the second large setting.
2. Cut out squares from the clay that are about 3”x3”. Cut four large circles with your cutter, which will be your feet. Cut four small rounds with the cutter to be your nose, ears, and tail.
3. Create a shape like a teardrop from the rest of your clay sheet.
4. Flatten out a small portion of the front. Roll all your rounds, up into balls and keep aside the large ones. Take your larger rounds and form teardrops out of those then attach them to your larger teardrops shape like legs on a pig.
5. Next, use your small rounds to create two ears and put them on. Now, make a long snake out of one of the rounds, and twist and curl into a piglet’s tail and attach that. Use your last round to flatten like a pancake and create a nose for your ceramic pig.
6. Embed two of your beads to form the eyes. With a dotting tool, make indentations for the nostrils.
7. Set your oven to 265 degrees and bake your creation for 45 to 60 minutes. Make sure to cover it with foil proper to cooking.