Why are pretzels shaped like knots?
Traditionally, pretzels are made out of long strips of dough folded over into a loose, trefoil knot before being baked. They have been shaped this way since the seventh century. Thought to bring good luck and prosperity, pretzels have been called the world’s oldest snack food. Invented by monks, pretzels carry deep, religious meanings. The folded strips of dough resemble the folded arms of someone who is praying in the usual manner in those days, while the three holes represent the Christian Holy Trinity. In medieval times, pretzels were given to children as rewards for learning their prayers. Today, they have lost the religious meanings, but pretzels are still among the world’s most popular snacks.
