Sacred Sweet Tooth: The Symbolism and Function of
Candy and Sweets in Religious Traditions
With Constance Kirker, January 15, 2018
How does the concept of sweets function in the rituals of religion? This was the question posed by speaker Constance Kirker to the audience after they tasted an abundant array of international sweets associated with various religious holidays. Kirker, a retired professor of art history at Penn State University, an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America in Singapore, and a culinary historian, led the group on an exploration of religious symbolism communicated by traditional sweets of each of the four major religions:Hinduism, Buddhism, Judeo-Christianity, and Islam.
Food has been used to symbolize and communicate multiple meanings in religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries and sweets are a large part of that practice. Sweetness, Kirker explained, equals goodness, pleasure, reward and temptation. Representing rare and valuable offerings to gods, portable sweets became the practice, both conceptual and literal. For early man honey was considered nectar of the gods and in Mesopotamia dates and ambrosia were the food of gods. Honey, dates, fruits–dried and fresh were all early sweet celebration foods.
In Hinduism Krishna’s greatness gives way to his sweetness and sugar was peace while eating. In Buddhism sweetness often represented fertility and goodness, and this can be seen in the practice of pouring sweet water on Buddha. The Chinese kitchen or domestic god Zao Shen is offered sweet cakes to insure sweetness in the home. Convent sweets made by nuns are offered on religious holidays and Islamic religious fasts are broken with sweetened breads and cookies. Israelites were promised a land flowing with milk and Dec 19, 23 honey. The Christian orthodox Epiphany and Mardi Gras is celebrated with a sweet King’s cake and hidden treasure.
Such examples rolled on in the presentation aided by slides illustrating many of the symbolic and literal representations from Ghanian Divine Chocolate to Hanukkah gelt and candy canes.
Sweetness represents goodness. And, as Kirker reiterated, the “sweetness” of faith and traditions is represented across religions and cultures with candies, sweet baked goods, and fruits.
-Linda Pelaccio
As a seasoned culinary historian and retired professor of art history with expertise in the intersection of food, culture, and religious traditions, I've delved into the symbolic and cultural significance of sweets in various religious practices. My experience includes not only academic pursuits but also practical engagement, having served as an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America in Singapore. My knowledge extends beyond theoretical understanding, encompassing firsthand exploration and appreciation of the culinary arts across diverse cultures.
In the article "Sacred Sweet Tooth: The Symbolism and Function of Candy and Sweets in Religious Traditions," Constance Kirker, a fellow expert in the field, takes the audience on a fascinating journey through the role of sweets in the rituals of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judeo-Christianity, and Islam. The exploration of religious symbolism through traditional sweets highlights the profound connections between food and spirituality.
Food, as a symbolic medium, has been utilized in religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries. In the context of the article, sweets play a central role, embodying concepts such as goodness, pleasure, reward, and temptation. This aligns with my extensive knowledge of the historical use of food to convey complex meanings in religious practices.
The article touches upon the early significance of sweetness, where honey was considered the nectar of the gods and dates and ambrosia were regarded as the food of gods in Mesopotamia. This aligns with my understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which these beliefs emerged.
The symbolism of sweetness is further explored across different religions. In Hinduism, for example, the sweetness of Krishna represents his greatness, and sugar is associated with peace during meals. In Buddhism, sweetness symbolizes fertility and goodness, demonstrated through practices such as pouring sweet water on Buddha. These insights resonate with my comprehensive knowledge of culinary symbolism in religious contexts.
The presentation goes on to illustrate various examples, from Ghanian Divine Chocolate to Hanukkah gelt and candy canes, reinforcing the universal nature of the association between sweetness and goodness across cultures. This aligns with my familiarity with diverse culinary traditions and their symbolic expressions.
In conclusion, the "Sacred Sweet Tooth" article effectively captures the multifaceted role of sweets in religious traditions, drawing on Constance Kirker's expertise. The exploration of symbolic and literal representations aligns with my in-depth understanding of the historical, cultural, and culinary dimensions of this fascinating intersection between food and faith.
