Apig bladder orpig's bladder is theurinary bladder of adomestic pig, similar to the human urinary bladder. Today, thishollow organ has various applications inmedicine, and in traditional cuisines and customs. Historically, the pig bladder had several additional uses, all based on its properties as a lightweight, stretchable container that could be filled and tied off.
The pig bladder has several traditional ceremonial uses in Europe. It is traditional during the festivalFasching inBad Aussee to brandish inflated pig bladders on sticks. Similarly, inXinzo de Limia, Spain, inflated pig bladders are carried duringCarnival. See alsoClown society andJester andGigantes y cabezudos andVejigante.
In traditional Germanic communities a publicSchlachtfest (of a pig) is announced by hanging the pig's inflated bladder in front of the host establishment. The bladder is used as acasing for several traditional food items, including thesausages known asventricina andsobrassada.
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Historically the pig bladder was used in sports, as the airtight membrane ("bladder") inside afootball[when defined as?]. In the early 19th century the inventorWilliam Gilbert used pig bladders in the manufacture ofrugby balls. Decades later,Richard Lindon did the same. (See alsoMob football,Medieval football, andLa soule.)
For centuries before the invention of the paint tube, artists used to store their paints in pig bladders. When the artist was ready to use the paint, they would puncture a hole in the bladder and squeeze out the desired amount of paint. They would have to mend the hole when finished and the whole process was quite messy.[1] Theoil paint tube was invented in 1841, as the primary packaging of paints for transport and storage.[2]
In thebian lian ("face changing") style of Chinese opera, painted pig bladders were used as face masks.
