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“There are lots of pigs in my movies. Perhaps because it is easier to draw a pig than camel or giraffe…But pig is very similar to a human in terms of behavior and the looks”, says Hayao Miyatzaki, Japanese producer, animator who is also the the founder of Gibli studio.
Is this a joke? Not at all!
Scientists have decoded pigs’ genome and discovered that pig is the closest animal related to human on this planet. We have a lot of physiological similarities and need for similar nutrients.
Pigs are one of the smartest animals with high level of intellect.
Scientists from Emory University (United States) have proven that pigs are smarter than dog and can solve tasks just as good as chimpanzees.
Dozens of studies speak about high cognitive abilities of these animals – they posses long term memory, can navigate their way very well in mazes and can successfully accomplish tasks which include moving and correct placement of objects: they can control joystick, move cursor on computer screen, use mirror to find hidden food which is a complicated task because mirror distorts space
Pigs posses an intellect of a 4 year old child, for comparison – dogs possess intellect similar to 2 year old.
Pigs are not only smart – they can also feel and show compassion, as they also have hearts.
They can express anxiety and empathy when others are in trouble. This is how their expression is described in the scientific studies of Lori Marino, The Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy. As well as Christina M Covin from Georgia Technological Institute.
Writer and Naturalist Sy Montgomery in her book “The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood” has described multifaceted path of emotional and intellectual knowledge of the piglet from his infancy to his death at 14 yo. Piglet lived in the shed next to her house and was named after famous composter and musician. Petting his belly and special delicate food made Christopher exited, he expressed it by special sound “uuunnn” and took a relaxed pose on his back to express his emotions.
Pigs have acute hearing and subtle sense of smell which compensate their weak sight.
They are taught to find truffles and very often are used instead of dogs to find drugs or smuggling. But there is one problem – pigs keep their personal affections and can totally reject working with a different person – partner.
Pigs are social animals.
When piglet is left alone – their piggy change, becomes more nervous and miserable. Animals have their own language – pigs make different sounds in different conditions. In the moment of danger instead of piggy sounds they start screeching, pigs produce sounds similar to barking when they threaten their opponent or being aggressive. They bravely come to rescue their friends – like this pig protecting his friend in the slaughter house.
Its possible that pig might save your life too. Pigs saved drawned people, saved people from burning houses and from the heart attacks. Perhaps this is why from all the 12 animals of the horoscope, pig was the last who came to Chinese Emperor’s reception – was probably saving someone’s life.
In critical situation you would not want the pig to turn its smart head different direction.
An old myth about pigs being dirty was probably created by peope who kept their pigs in tiny small spaces. Pigs don’t have functional seat glands and they have to roll in dirt with high clay content to cool down. Clay also keeps comfortable body temperature longer and protects pig’s skin from parasites. mosquitoes and ticks. Its possible if pigs had more possibilities, they would have used different ways to cool their body.
Pigs are cleanest animals, just like all other animals they are trying to create comfortable conditions for themselves.
Pigs prefer clean food. During one experiment wild boars were given pieces of apples covered in sand. Before eating animals cleaned pieces in water. Then immediately consumed the cleaned pieces.
In Chinese culture pigs symbolize prosperity and luck. Not by chance. Chinese character for HOME is made from 2 parts – roof and pig, or pig under a roof.
Wishing you a pig in the house in the new Chinese year – happiness and luck.
Let this kind, smart, happy and emotional pig creater live happy and free in our shared home on planet Earth. We are so much alike.
To celebrate happy and abundant Chinese New Year I brought classic recipe from my trip to China – vegetable dumping recipe.
There is no need to eat pigs. In modern agricultiure piglets are raised for the slaughter weight of 220 pounds (100 kg) at 6-8 months old. Calculated to human years this will be equivalent to 2-3 yo children (pigs live 15-2- years). Turns out if someone is eating animals – they are really eating animal babies.
Chinese vegetable dumpling recipe
Ингредиенты
- Finely ground flour
- Water
- Carrots
- Favorite leafy greens – bok choi, chard etc
- Tofu
- Black pepper
- Ginger
- Soy sauce
- Vinegar
In classic Chinese recipes proportion and amount of ingredients are eyeballed.
Указания
- In China dough is prepared by eyeballing it. Flour is mixed with water – room temperature or slightly warmer (for example 95 F or 35 C). Knead dough to make it soft but not sticky. Make a round ball out of a dough then cover with a bowl.
- For stuffing: cut leafy greens, tofu and carrots into small pieces and mix together.
- Cut dough into several parts, roll each piece into a sausage.
- Cut the “sausages” across into approx. 0.4 – 0.6 inch (1 – 1.5 cm) wide rounds. Use the dough roller to roll each piece.
- Place a spoonful of stuffing on each and and form dumplings.
- Sprinkle plate or cutting board with flour and place already formed dumplings on it.
- Dumplings are cooking in portions after they are prepared. As soon as the first 15-20 pieces are made they can be cooked. To insure dumplings are not falling apart cold water must be added 2-3 times. Place enough water int a pot to boil your first portion of already made dumplings. Bring water to a boil, place dumplings into boiling water. As soon as water begins to boil – add little bit of cold water and bring it again to a boil. Repeat 2 more times.
- Using a spoon, take dumplings out and place them on a plate. Serve with sprinkled chopped herbs on top, soy sauce and vinegar – whatever the taste preference is. Some like just with soy sauce and some just with vinegar. Can add wasabi, grated ginger or any other spices of choice.
Would you like more recipes from Asia?
