Posted on 04/18/2014 2:42:50 PM PDT by nickcarraway
That pretzel you're munching is not only an ideal accompaniment to a beer, it has a connection with Lent that dates back to the fourth century.
In the Roman Empire, the faithful kept a strict fast all through Lent: no milk, no butter, no cheese, no eggs, no cream and no meat, according to CatholicCulture.com
Ancient Romans made small breads of water, flour and salt, as a reminder that Lent was a time of prayer. The breads — the first pretzel-like breads — were shaped to form crossed arms to symbolize prayer, as praying was done with arms crossed their chest.
In the 16th century, the Germans introduced tradition of eating pretzels during Good Friday dinner, according to the Bavarian Pretzel Factory.
"The classic pretzel’s three-hole shape represent the Christian Trinity of 'Father, Son and Holy Spirit,'" says the pretzel company. It adds that "pretzels are thought to bring luck, prosperity and spiritual wholeness."
You might consider putting a bowl of pretzels on the table at a wedding reception, too.
"The wedding phrase 'tying the knot' got its start when a pretzel was used to tie the knot between two prominent families," says the pretzel company's website. And the pretzel’s loops stand for everlasting love.
pING
And here I thought they were just a nice salty compliment to a good brew.
I could eat a great big soft street vendor Pretzel right now.
Oh,great, guess what I gave up for Lent?
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