In parts of Northern Europe a little marzipan pig is a traditional gift at Christmas or New Year.  During times in the past, people were considered very fortunate if they had a pig as the meat could keep them going during the long winter when there was very little fresh food available.  A common expression in Germany was “Ich habe Schwein gehabt” (“I had a pig”) meaning to have been lucky and a pig became a good luck symbol.  A Glückschwein (Lucky pig)  helps to ensure good luck for the New Year so is a popular gift in places like Germany and Austria.  In some countries like Norway and Denmark where the traditional festive meal includes a hot rice pudding, the person who finds a hidden almond wins a marzipan pig.
The only farm animals in the nearby fields now are sheep and horses since the cows have been brought inside for winter and the chickens are shut in due to bird flu having been found in Britain.  Sometimes I walk past this farm and today could hear cows in several of the barns and looked into one of the barns beside the road.   The cows are lucky that they have a dry place with ample food and were very curious and the pigs reminded me of the Glückschwein and are probably unaware that they were once considered to be symbols of prosperity and good luck.