The Chinese Calendar is cyclical and is based on the lunar cycle. The Chinese New Year or the New Lunar Year as the Chinese like to call it, starts at a new moon phase and may fall between the last days of January and the middle of February. The 2007 Chinese New Year started at the 18th of February, at the first day of the first new moon phase of the classic western calendar year.

While February the 18th is the 49th day of the traditional western calendar, it is actually the first day of the year for the Chinese and other eastern cultures. The 2007 Chinese New Year is affected by the sign of the Pig. The attributes of this Chinese sign are (for the year 2007) combined with the element of fire, and here’s what that means.

The Pig is the last Chinese sign of the Chinese zodiac cycle and it is generally ruled by the element of Water. But it is also the universal element of Fire who is the major ruler for this year. So it is Fire over Water for 2007. It is a great time to finish anything you have started the previous year or the past years. It is not a good time to start a new major and important project. The Pig and the element of Fire instructs you to go back and see what you’ve got, make any necessary changes, improve your goals and your strategy, finalize situations and get rid of what is bothering you whether it is emotions, feelings, friends, lovers or whatever.

The 2007 Chinese Year of the Pig is also an ideal time to think about the next year and prepare for some major changes that are very likely to happen during the new animal cycle that will begin with the year of the Rat in 2008. So try to carefully visualize your future goals and plans. Don’t go into action yet. This is not a year for new beginnings. Just think of the future and visualize what you want to happen next year. Always keep that in mind and be careful not to be overwhelmed by the Pig’s sensual or sexual temptations. You may be fooled.

This is also an excellent year for legitimate business and ventures. The Pig is quite aggressive and cynical when it comes to frauds, stolen properties/money or other illegal activities. You will be probably punished severely if you don’t play by the rules this year. And it will be a final and strict punishment since the Pig is awaiting its turn in the zodiac cycle to punish bad people. Remember it is the last animal of the Chinese Horoscope and it must make sure everything is in place for the new animal cycle to begin.

It is highly likely that you will presented with a plethora of dilemmas this year. Maybe you will have to make important decisions, maybe choose between sides, you know black pill and blue pill stuff. The Pig favors you to open your mind and soul and start expressing yourself and talk sincerely to others about your feelings, thoughts or plans. Take a stand and act on what you want. It is not a good time to hide and go through shortcuts. Instead you have to select that what fits you the most without any hesitation or fear. If you act smart you will be rewarded afterwards. All your paths will be cleared and justified.

The Pig is a Chinese sign that is also associated with good luck and prosperity and if you follow the rules described above, the magnificent Pig will bring you harmony during the year and unexpected lucky events by the end of 2007. New opportunities may arise as the Pig year ends and depending on the job you’ve done with yourself during the year, these beneficial opportunities will actually be embedded in your life in a way that you cannot miss them or disregard them. Then it is up to you to make decisions and accept or reject new ideas or changes for the coming New Year.

The most important thing to remember about this Chinese Year is that the Pig is the last Chinese Horoscope sign. A cycle ends and a new one is about to begin. Don’t forget that the Pig is also empowered by the universal element of Fire. The influence of Fire will be severe and powerful. Fire is here to help the Pig do some maintenance and clear/destroy what must go and disappear.

So, another cycle that started 11 years ago is about to finish and a new one will soon begin. Chinese strongly believe that the new Chinese horoscope cycle that will start in 2008, will be the most important for the human race as a whole. Chinese prophets and a lot of Chinese Astrologers (including me) agree that the new Chinese Zodiac cycle and the next few years will have a tremendous impact to humanity. We should expect a lot of pleasant and unpleasant surprises, but in the end all this will lead people to a new magical era. So say the analysts..

We always had at least one pig on the farm and sometimes more. I loved my pigs. They were pretty and intelligent. The one that I think about the most was Snowball who was a 350 pound white Yorkshire pig. Snowball became quite a pet. If you scratched her on her belly, she would first try to help you scratch while standing on three legs like a dog. Then she would give up and roll over to give me complete access to her belly. She would lie there and enjoy the scratching as long as I would give it.

A couple of times a year when Dad noticed that Snowball was ready, we transported her to the neighbor’s farm for a social visit. One summer day, the time came for the appointed social visit to the neighbor’s boar. (Dad used this experience to serve the purpose of the traditional talk out behind the barn.) Dad sought my older brother, Joe, and me and informed us “It’s time to take Snowball to the Howeiller farm. I have a couple of things to do. I have the truck in the pig pen. Go down and load her and I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” We tended to do what Dad said given he was a high school principal and in those days a professional paddler. Joe and I proceeded to the pigpen and sure enough there was the truck in the middle of the pen and a ramp leaning against the fence. We grabbed the ramp, placed it onto the back of the truck, and stepped back to give Snowball some room. Snowball, being the curious animal she was, started up the ramp. Then, she stopped and looked around. Fearing that we would lose all the territory we had accidentally gained without any effort, we each placed a shoulder against a hindquarter of the pig and commenced to push that pig into the truck. I meant to say, we attempted to push the pig into the truck. Our approach was doomed to failure. When Snowball felt the pressure on her hindside, she automatically pushed against the pressure and backed up. Since she weighed more than both of us put together, she knocked Joe into a mud puddle on one side of the ramp and left me teetering on the edge of the other one. And if you know anything about pig mud puddles, they’re not the nicest places to be.

About that time, Dad came around the corner of the barn and saw Joe face down in one puddle and me in anticipation of my own puddle plunge. He burst into a fit of laughter the likes of which I had never seen. He doubled over and almost choked. I failed to avoid my own plunge and Joe and I emerged wiping the nasty mud from our faces. In a matter of minutes, when the laughter subsided, Dad looked at us and exclaimed, “Boys I taught you how to load a pig. That’s not the way to do it.” He walked over to the nearby granary, got a little metal cup of shelled corn, made a little Hansel and Gretel trail up the ramp, and threw the rest into the front of the truck’s bed. In three minutes Snowball was loaded and proud to be there. From that point on I remembered, “You can’t push a pig into a truck.”

A leader’s objective is to motivate employees to do the “right” things according to the specific needs of the business. Some leaders believe that their followers will do what the leader says simply because of his or her role. Others rely on their charisma for employee loyalty and obedience. Fortunately or unfortunately these beliefs often do not play out in real life.

I spend a great deal of time in organizations attempting to help employees choose behaviors that enable the organization to succeed in today’s tough business environment. At times, I am frustrated with the inability of employees to choose to work together for a common goal.

The pig story has for years helped me make a point in my training sessions. I explain that in this one characteristic I am not that different than Snowball. When people have tried to force me to do things and I didn’t understand the purpose, I tended to resist. If people know how change will help them personally, they can make objective decisions.

You can’t force people to do anything, however, people tend to choose to do things that they believe will meet their needs. Leaders must tell their followers the whys behind the initiatives they select for the good of the business. Remember, You Can’t Push a Pig into a Truck.

The Chinese Zodiac Astrology is ancient, interesting, accurate and loved by millions across the world. The Chinese Zodiac is based on cyclic concept of time : a cycle of 12 years, repeated again and again. The 12 Years are associated with 12 Celestial Animals : Rat (or Mouse on Mongoose), Ox (or Buffalo or Bull or Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare or Cat), Dragon, Snake (or Serpent), Horse, Goat (or Sheep or Ram), Monkey, Rooster (or Hen or Cock or Chicken or Phoenix), Dog and Pig (or Boar or Hog). The animal names occasionally differ with the Oriental Country they originate. The Chinese Yearly Horoscopes are basically built around these 12 Animal Signs.

Your Chinese Astrological Zodiac Animal Sign is directly based on the Chinese Lunar Year of Birth that you were born. The Chinese New Year is mobile and could start anywhere between 21st January and 20th February, depending upon the year. If your Date of Birth falls into any of the following Chinese Lunar Years, then, because you are born in the Year of the Rabbit (or Hare or Cat), you are symbolically identified by your Celestial Animal, the “Rabbit (or Hare or Cat)” :

From 29 Jan 1903 to 15 Feb 1904

From 14 Feb 1915 to 2 Feb 1916

From 02 Feb 1927 to 22 Jan 1928

From 19 Feb 1939 to 07 Feb 1940

From 06 Feb 1951 to 26 Jan 1952

From 25 Jan 1963 to 12 Feb 1964

From 11 Feb 1975 to 30 Jan 1976

From 29 Jan 1987 to 16 Feb 1988

From 16 Feb 1999 to 04 Feb 2000

In Chinese Hsia Calender, 2007 is the 4704th year and significantly, is also the fourth year of the New Feng Shui Land Luck Cyclic Period 8. The forthcoming new Chinese Lunar Year is from 18th February 2007 to 6th February 2008. The next Chinese New Year, the Yang Earth Rat will begin on 7th February 2008.

Enjoy the Annual Forecasts and learn about the suggested Feng Shui & Crystal Remedies that you may need for the coming “New Lunar Year 2007 : Ding Hai, the Year of the Yin Red Fire Pig” :

CAREER A pleasing year where you get to use your personal skills and strengths to your great advantage. Opportunities will be aplenty and you will seize them aggressively. You will take the initiative and expand business. This is the right time to implement your dream project. If you are in marketing or legal profession or involved in creative artistry or communications or real estate, your growth could be spectacular. If you are a loner, you will know how to profit by your autonomy to the utmost, and you will also get excellent results. However, remember that your social network will effect you a lot in your profession and that you should carry them along with harmony. At the same time, do not get complacent and do anything that is against your conscience. All of your good deeds and good thoughts will amplify your fortune. Do not get involved in internal office politicking or contribute to any gossip. Do not offend anyone – if you antagonise anyone, you will be back-stabbed mercilessly. Take extra precautions and get legal advice before signing up new contracts or renewing agreements. Some of you could be facing legal disputes before the end of the year. Hang a Chinese Sword of Coins inside of your office door and install a Rooster figurine in your North West. If you are employed, just mind your own business and practice time management. Enroll yourself in private classes for self-improvement or attend job related courses. With hard work and luck, some of you could get unexpected promotion and pay raise.

MONEY Good and constant flow of money will keep you in a happy mood. Commission based incomes will increase. Excellent windfall luck too. Observe integrity : over greediness or going against the law can attract lawsuits or even imprisonments. If you plan to invest, check all available options before final decision. Mistakes and oversights could result in severe money loss. When making large purchase transactions, do not hurry – take some expert advice, or you could regret it later. Make early provisions in your budget for certain commitments and large expenses that are certain to crop up in the later part of the year.

HEALTH Most of you are prone to fall ill this year, especially the elders. Physical work pressures could make your blood pressure shoot up. Switch over to vegetarian food. Mental pressures will de-energise you. Go in for professional massages and therapeutic treatments. Avoid visiting the sick or attending funerals. Some of you will attract digestive disorders, chronic constipation, insomnia and problems in reproductive organs. Drive carefully as there could be some road accidents for you this year. Hang a golden, metal Hu-Lu in your car, to avoid them. If you are a male born in 1939 or a female born in 1999, you will have serious problems because of viral infections. If you are a male born in 1987, be extremely careful when driving and avoid participating in high risk sports. Hang a large sized natural Chinese Hu-Lu from the ceiling, near the headboard side of your bed.

LOVE If you are a single, you will find 2007 not only a socially active year but also conducive for marriage too – though you might find difficulty in locating a conclusive relationship to commit yourself. If you become desperate, you may misjudge a kind friend and lose your good reputation. If you are married, you are getting into a spell of disharmony at home. Tread carefully, for you have a villain visitor at home, spreading gossips and creating wedges between you and your spouse. Do not get into arguments and clear the misunderstandings as they rise. Take a short vacation with your spouse to reinforce your good equation. If you were born in 1963, watch out for symptoms of external seduction of your spouse. Display the combined statue of Dragon & Phoenix in the South West of your bedroom, for marital harmony. If you are a male born in 1975, 2007 is a good year for marriage and child-bearing. If you are a female born in 1975, avoid impulsive actions, to save your marriage.

STUDIES Remarkable improvements in marks and ranks. However, misleading friendships and rebellious notions might make you commit undesirable or illegal acts which will undermine your golden future. Parental guideline is a must. To instill discipline, take a set of 3 Qui Yong Coins always with you. If you are a female born in 1987, do not be tainted by illusionary romance, but focus only on your studies, lest you spoil your academic results.

Birthstone : Sapphire Good Relationships with : Goat, Dog, Dragon and Pig, for 2007 Conflicts with : Rooster, Rat and Tiger, for 2007 Polarity Force : More Yin Lucky Numbers : 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, 19 and 35 Zodiac Protector : WenShu Pusa or ManjuShri (Sanskrit)

A NOTE ABOUT REMEDIES :

The above analysis has suggested some remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and has recommended certain enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy of the year. For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location, to derive the maximum benefit. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the forthcoming new years, but they may have to be repositioned according to the specific new year.

Deciding to roast a whole pig is a huge feat, and requires a lot of planning for a successful outcome. It may sound like a glorified barbecue, but the details that go into the execution and the time and effort involved in proper cooking are no minor venture.

Pig roasting traditionally has its roots in Pacific Islander and Caribbean cultures, specifically Hawaii, the Philippines, and Cuba. It is even known to be practiced in some Southern Chinese areas. It is a very common practice for New Year’s celebrations, and has extended to include Christmas, Christmas Eve, and even Thanksgiving. Now, pig roasting has trickled down into common American culture and is often called a pig pickin’ in the Deep South.

As a result, there are several traditional styles to dress and spice your pig, each providing a unique cooking style and flavor. Cooking options and methods should be thoroughly researched before attempting a pig roast of your own, and having an experienced roaster with you can be a huge help!

So, what major things should be taken into consideration?

1. Who & When? – With an entire pig to roast, you better be planning to have a lot of guests. Events that large require enough time in advance for people to clear the time on their schedules. Decide on a date and start compiling your guest list right away. Send out invitations as soon as possible so your friends and family know what date to save.
2. How Big of a Pig? – The common hog will range upwards of 100 pounds, which translates to a lot of meat to serve and eat. However, hogs are available in ranges of weights, and you can even order a younger and smaller pig to suit smaller occasions. If you are uncertain about how big of an animal you need, be sure to ask for an estimate for your guest count when placing your order.
3. Extra Help – Having an experienced chef as help is a great idea. But more than just that, cooking a hog takes hours. Be sure to collect enough volunteers so that the roast can be watched in shifts the entire time. Leaving your cooking unattended could result in disastrous results, to both your meal and your location.
4. Roasting Tools/Kit – When looking through the ways to roast a pig, the options may seem as varied as the stars in the sky. Try taking a look first at the seasoning you want before finalizing on a cooking method. Different styles can have different methods of cooking, so that may help steer you in the right direction. Also, see what method might be most practical for the space you will be using for your celebration.
5. Seasoning – Each culture that has a pig roast tradition has created its own unique flavoring styles. Further, these styles have been modified and blended over time to create unique offshoots. You will find Hawaiian style, Cuban style, Caja China, Puerto Rican, and even Filipino to start. You can even buy your hog professionally seasoned and 100% ready to start roasting!
6. Venue Location – A large meal and a large number of guests is likely not going to fit into the average person’s backyard. Start early checking out large venues such as park grounds and community centers. Keep in mind that not all venues will accommodate this style of cooking, so do some thorough research before selecting a location.
7. Tackle the Timing – Because such a large animal takes so long to cook, timing is perhaps the most important point to make your event a success. Take into account the weight of the pig and the estimated cooking times based on your specific cooking method. Some cooking styles require upwards of 24 hours of cooking while others need only 4-6. Get a firm understanding of how much time your hog is going to require, and plan to have all of your roasting helpers ready to begin well in advance.
8. Equipment Rentals – Not all available venues will come equipped with tables and chairs. Be sure to secure enough rentals for all of your guests, as well as purchasing cutlery needs in bulk. Plates, cups, napkins, and silverware (or plasticware) will all need to be bought in heavy excess of your total number of guests.
9. Extra Entertainment – While waiting for the big meal to commence, your guests will have a lot of time on their hands. Adults will be happy to mix and mingle, but recreational activities will help the evening go smoothly. If there will be children at your event, they will need plenty to keep them occupied.
10. Side Dishes & Drinks – While your amazing roast is the main event, no meal is complete with just one dish! Be sure to include a variety of sides and drinks for your guests to choose from, and do not forget to get enough to go around. If you want to home-cook these dishes as well, be sure you have enough support and hands to get everything accomplished.

When in doubt, the best advice you can get is from an experienced roaster. Check out some books from your local bookstore or library. Put in enough time planning, and your event will run without a hitch. Enjoy!

Once upon a time there were three little pigs that went out into the world to build homes. One built with straw. One pig used wood for his home. The last little pig used bricks that have been eco-friendly for a very long time. We all know how that little pig fable turned out after the big bad wolf showed up. Here is that tale recycled to show the moral and benefits of using eco-friendly and recycled material.

So let’s begin this three pigs story with eco-friendly changes from the original version. To start with, you should notice the three little pigs book your mother read from was likely not printed with recycled paper or tree free paper so even the presentation wasn’t eco-friendly. Our story here is digital and no trees were cut down to present it to you now. There are no printed copies. There are not even copies on recycled paper or tree free paper either.

One not so long ago, there lived three little pigs. They thought of going in separate ways to build some homes but quickly realized that a small pig condo project would be an eco-friendly way to live and share outdoor space. However, these pigs decided each would take on a different aspect of the project and lend specific expertise.

The first little pig wanted to use straw. This pig knew that his long ago predecessor had tried using straw as a primary building material and that hadn’t worked out so well. He would’ve been better off with wattle and daub walls made of straw mixed with mud and used the sheaf’s of straw only to thatch the roof. Our present-day pig decides on a modern version of the wattle and daub concept. He ops to buy an eco-friendly oriented strand product made by heat pressing straw and glue into sheathing boards.

The second little pig’s thoughts are of using wood but instead of utilizing lumber from tree that takes decades to reach maturity, he opts for fast growing bamboo trees. The pigs will use bamboo as structural support for the pressed straw sheathing boards.

The third pig is still thinking about the eco-friendly and time-honored bricks that saved them from the wolf in the long-distant past. They can be used again. In fact this little pig finds the same bricks he bought before and recycles them. The bricks are old but still strong and the little pig’s condo will use them for the footings and a central chimney.

The little pigs work together on drawing up the blueprints and the even go above and beyond by using recycled paper that is actually recycled tree free paper.

The result is a cozy and ecologically responsibly dwelling that still protects them from the wolves. Pressed straw boards have a natural insulating quality that even keeps the wolf utilities company at bay. And the three little live happily ever after.

This has just been a rehash of the three pigs fable where the three young boars are not living up to their hog stereotype by hogging up the world’s precious resources. They leave it to the human pigs to do that.

Good News! The year of the Pig is forecast to be peaceful and harmonious. In Chinese astrological forecasts the year of the Wild Boar is perhaps a bit more yang due to a preference for the more masculine aspects of life. In our western culture we are ready for the year of the brown pig, more yin and feminine in character, and ruled by the stability and security of the earth element.

Our vision for the year ahead should reflect the many positive traits of the pig as well as the boar. The Boar is resourceful, intelligent and determined to forge ahead. Clear goals and a plan of action are crucial in laying the groundwork for success in the New Year.

The Pig, a bon vivant and epicurean, likes the finer things in life and longs for all to be well on earth.

On the annual charts of Chinese astrology the elements are well-balanced with emphasis on fire and water. The year is ruled by the earth element which creates a favorable scenario for a nurturing and peaceful environment. According to predictions, the year of the Pig is filled with opportunities for creating wealth and prosperity, more so than recent years.

If we emulate the positive traits of the Pig and follow the basic principles of feng shui, we have an optimal chance of fulfilling our personal wishes. The Pig is self-indulgent and prefers to relax in comfort and luxury. Personal well-being is a must and surroundings should be aesthetically pleasing. The pig personality enjoys tradition and culture with a keen eye for beauty and good taste. Once basic needs for well-being have been met, the Pig is altruistic, kind and generous. In the hierarchy of needs, feng shui always advocates that basic needs have to be met for successful pursuit of higher goals.

Shape your year of the Pig and Wild Boar with feng shui recommendation:

• Create a plan of action and set clear goals.

• Look at your world with the eye of an aesthete.

• Endow objects with an aura of symbolic value.

• Discriminate and pick quality nutrition with the expertise of an epicurean.

• Indulge sensory experiences by engaging all five senses.

• Fill your space with the rich sounds of your favorite music.

• Diffuse Frankincense and Myrrh, the wise men’s gifts of fine scents.

• Use red to spark new ideas and boost energy.

• Create your personal spa ambiance with soft towels and fragrant oils.

• Thus refresh and replenish your energy.

• Use mirrors to reflect your best possessions.

• Use lights to illuminate what’s meaningful and aesthetically pleasing.

• Light up dark corners.

• Favor the earth element by space-clearing earth sectors of the bagua.

• Enhance the center and display a vase to collect the gifts from the universe.

• Connect to your deeper self by meditating.

• Sink into what’s plush and comforting.

• And remember, according to Miss Piggy, “the best things in life are free.”

The pig is the 12th and last in the parade of zodiac animals, therefore the plan of action should include completion. The end of a cycle is always fertile ground for finishing projects and tying up loose ends. With a clean slate the future is wide open for renewal and transformation.

Pigs are more sensitive animals as compared to sheep, goats, and other livestock, and they require better management. But, they have an advantage that they give a better return as their feed-to-meet ratio is higher than other livestock and they also have a high breeding rate.

The quality and development of pigs depend on the feeding and housing systems, and this is why it is important for a pig farmer to exploit the modern pig farming equipment which will help in growing healthy pigs and ultimately an increased return on investment.

Some of the Modern Pig Farming Equipments are:

Stalls

• Gestation Stalls: A gestation stall is primarily meant for housing pregnant sows. These stalls can be used in breeding, gestation and furrowing phases. They provide enough space for a sow and they make physical examination and insemination process very easy. They also help in protecting the sow from injuries and in controlling their feeding intake.
• Finishing Stalls: These stalls are best for housing heavier pigs, which weigh more than 40 kg.
• Weaning Stalls: These stalls are mean for the newly-born pigs and designed so that they don’t cause pollution and feel comfortable for the babies.

Pig Feeders

• Drinking bowl: Modern pig drinking bowls are hygienic and the curled design prevents dust from entering into the water. They also reduce fecal pollution.
• Nipple Drinker: Nipple drinkers are automatic and they do not allow any leak.
• Dry-wet Feeder: The advantage of a dry-wet feeder is that they save feedings and are designed in a way so they won’t damage the snout of the pigs.
• Creep Feeder: It is used to supply feed in furrowing crate for piglets. They are helpful if the mother sow doesn’t have sufficient milk. They are easy to clean and can be used for both feeding and watering.

Ventilation

• Exhaust Fans: Exhaust fans when installed in a poultry farm can pump out a large volume of foul air without creating much noise.
• Cooling Pads: It is important to keep the air inside the stalls clean because the climate influences the production capacity of pigs. A cooling pad consists of a fan, rotating discs, motor, and water bowl. The fan pumps out the unhealthy air and rotator disks spray water into the stall.
• Dynamic Air Ventilation: Energy consumption can be reduced to a great extent by using frequency controlled fans. They can be installed in all types of stalls and can be accessed remotely as well.

Flooring

• Pigsty Mat: Electrical Heating Mats are combined with the feeder, water bowl, and heating pads. They not only take good care of the pigs, but also prevent them from electric shocks.
• Plastic Floor: These floors provide good furrowing and prevent frequent touches between the pigs and the dung. They do not corrode and are easy to clean.
• Fiberglass Beam: These beams work as a support to the breeding fences

Manure Handling

• Scrappers: Mechanical manure removal systems remove the feces and urine separately from the pig shed. They save a lot of labor costs.
• Fermenting Machine: Fermenting machines are used for fermentation of sludge, feces, mud etc. and converting them into pig manure.

Many of us use symbols as part of the association with our culture and each of us, have our own type of symbol that we associate good fortune and good luck to. Pigs have garnered much popular interest in many cultures east and west. The Chinese for instance speak of the golden “double pigs” for happiness and prosperity while the Germans consider the pigs, “Gluckschweins” or “lucky pigs”. However, these symbolic pigs are usually seen possessing all their four legs.

Thus, many of us may be intrigued and somewhat surprised by the three legged Chanchitos pig statues that we might sometimes see in a friend or family’s yard. After all, none of us could possibly conceive the existence of such a heavy animal without all its four quarters intact. Hence, the idea that maybe a leg got snapped off leaving the unwary pig statue still capable of standing ground to maintain balance may well be the heartwarming position we might take in responding to the sight of a rather awkward looking three legged pig.

The creation of the Chanchitos pig hails from the town of Pomaire, a Chilean town located west of Santiago. The land of Pomaire is extremely fertile in natural clay and has been noted for its lovely pottery creations handed down from generation to generation using the same ancient techniques passed on from their ancestors since the late 1600s. Apart from creating pottery ware and ceramics, the town is also well noted for its inception of the famous and rather cute three legged pig figurines known as Chanchitos pig. These little pigs are endowed with the blessings of ushering good luck and goodwill to its recipient and hence, it is common for people of this town to bring in little Chanchitos pigs made of clay and ceramic as gifts for friends and family. The chance of bumping into these imaginative looking pigs in the shops of Pomaire is therefore common. They appear to have been assimilated in the face of this vibrant little town as a common good luck statue seen in shops and restaurants which have also become closely acculturated into the beliefs of the people of this town. Tourists passing their way through Pomaire looking for some giftware reminiscent of this lovely town may find it very hard to fend off the look of the unusual and adorable piggy figurine with the three legs and eventually these little pigs become part of the merchandise and gifts purchased in this town. As each of these little pigs weaves their way into our society, it is only natural that the idea behind their existence is also upheld. After all, we all like good luck charms to keep our lives secure, happy and filled with luck every single day.

Whether the story behind the Chanchitos pig remains a creative charm contrived by the fertile imagination of the town craftsmen to boost a tourist appeal or otherwise, no one can dispense the adorable and imaginative appeal these pigs have possessed over the rest of the world. They have become a lively part of the conversations in blogs, part of the garden landscape tucked away in a place for noticeable view and as desk ornaments mostly looked upon for luck or as unusual gift pieces for intriguing a curious passerby.