Tag: Vegetarianism history

The ancient Greeks were known for their meat consumption, often tied to religious sacrifices and banquets. However, a notable exception to this rule existed in the 6th century BCE with the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, who was a vegetarian based on his unique ethical and spiritual worldview.

While modern media might suggest vegetarianism is a recent phenomenon, its roots stretch back over two millennia, with philosophical and religious origins in ancient Greece and India. The emergence of vegetarianism as a popular trend in the Western world, however, is a much more recent development, primarily taking shape during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The term “vegan” was officially coined in 1944 by Donald Watson, though historical evidence suggests abstaining from animal products dates back over 2,000 years. This history indicates that plant-based diets have deep roots, influencing the modern movement. So, when did being a vegan become a thing? It's a journey rooted in ethical and dietary evolution.

The practice of vegetarianism traces its roots back over 2,500 years, with the earliest known examples found in ancient India. The question, 'Has there ever been a vegetarian society?' reveals a complex history where organized communities, philosophical schools, and entire religious groups have embraced plant-based eating, often for ethical and spiritual reasons. While a large, modern nation-state has not been entirely vegetarian, numerous significant societies and communities have adopted the practice throughout history.

In 1975, while eating a lamb dinner, Linda McCartney and her husband Paul observed lambs playing outside their farmhouse window and decided to become vegetarians. This pivotal moment cemented Linda's commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle and sparked her influential career as a vegetarian food entrepreneur and activist.