Veganism, often thought of as a modern movement, actually has deep roots in human history. The idea of abstaining from animal products for ethical, spiritual, or health reasons has appeared repeatedly across civilizations. Ancient dietary practices, philosophical schools, and religious teachings—including passages from the Bible—offer a rich tapestry of vegan or plant-centered traditions.
Ancient Beginnings
The First Diet in the Bible
One of the earliest recorded endorsements of a plant-based diet appears in the Book of Genesis. In Genesis 1:29, God says:
“I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
This passage describes humanity’s first diet as purely plant-based—fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds—suggesting that vegan eating was part of the divine design for the Garden of Eden. Later, in Daniel 1:12-16, Daniel and his companions consume only vegetables (pulse) and water, demonstrating physical vitality and mental clarity.
Ancient India and Ahimsa
In India, the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) has guided dietary choices for millennia. Followers of early Jainism, Buddhism, and certain Hindu traditions avoided meat and animal products, believing that compassion for all living beings was a spiritual duty. Ancient Indian texts like the Tirukkural (circa 5th century CE) praised plant-based eating as both moral and health-giving.
Greek Philosophy and Vegetarian Schools
In the 6th century BCE, Pythagoras and his followers advocated what was then called a “Pythagorean diet,” largely vegetarian and often vegan in principle. They viewed abstaining from animal products as a path to purity and harmony with the cosmos. The Greek physician Hippocrates (5th century BCE) also emphasized plant foods for health.
Middle Eastern and Biblical-era Traditions
In the biblical lands, lentils, barley, figs, olives, and dates formed dietary staples. Archaeological findings from Mesopotamia and Canaan reveal that grains and legumes were not just survival foods—they were celebrated. The prophet Isaiah speaks poetically of a future peace where predators and prey live without harm (Isaiah 11:6-9), reflecting an ideal of harmony that resonates with vegan values.
Transition and Loss
Despite these plant-based roots, many societies later shifted toward heavier animal product consumption due to agricultural expansion, cultural norms, and the prestige associated with meat. However, the ethical and spiritual arguments for a plant-based diet never fully disappeared—they resurfaced during the Renaissance, the 19th-century vegetarian movement, and the modern vegan revival.
Conclusion
Veganism is not a fleeting trend; it is a philosophy with ancient precedents in scripture, philosophy, and cultural practice. From the Genesis diet to Pythagoras’ teachings and the Indian concept of ahimsa, history offers a clear message: the choice to eat compassionately and sustainably has been with humanity from the beginning—and it may be a key to our future.
