Farmers raise pigs for profit as a food source. In Iowa, in March 2025, there were 24.3 million pigs on thousands of Iowa farms, and nationally there were 74,512 million pigs. We don’t emphasize pigs as a symbol of the New Year, although they have been a well-known symbol of good luck and happiness for many years in other countries.
The New Year postcard below is from Hungary. Our Hungarian friend indicates that pigs represent good fortune because they root out the fortune from the ground. This young man is hoping for great good fortune, with all the pigs that are following him. On the other hand, she says that Hungarians don’t eat chicken on New Year’s because chickens scratch away the fortunes and don’t eat fish either because fish swim away with the fortunes.
Also attached are two German postcards sent in the early 20th century to commemorate the holiday. Snow pigs. What a novel idea!
Happy New Year however you might have celebrated the holiday. May 2026 be a good year for all of you.
