While modern veganism is often associated with environmentalism and animal welfare, its foundations stretch far into antiquity. Across continents and cultures, people embraced plant-based diets for reasons of faith, philosophy, and health. From the first chapters of the Bible to ancient civilizations, the story of vegan food is a journey through humanity’s deepest values.
The Edenic Ideal
The earliest mention of a plant-based diet appears in the Bible’s Genesis 1:29, where God grants humankind “every seed-bearing plant” and “every tree that has fruit with seed in it” for food. This Edenic menu, devoid of meat or animal products, symbolized harmony between humans, animals, and the earth.
Centuries later, in Daniel 1:12–16, the prophet Daniel and his companions request a diet of “pulse” (legumes) and water during captivity in Babylon. Their robust health became a testament to the vitality of a plant-based lifestyle.
Plant-Centered Civilizations
Ancient Egypt thrived on grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Workers who built the pyramids were sustained on bread, onions, and beer—a simple but plant-based fare. Frescoes from tombs depict abundant harvests of figs, dates, leeks, and lettuce, showing that plants were central to daily life and ritual.
In Mesopotamia, clay tablets from around 1750 BCE reveal recipes featuring lentils, chickpeas, and leeks. While meat was occasionally eaten, it was far from the everyday diet for most people.
Philosophy Meets Compassion
In 6th-century BCE Greece, Pythagoras and his followers promoted what was later called the “Pythagorean diet,” often fully vegetarian and aligned with principles we now associate with veganism. They believed that abstaining from animal products promoted purity of mind and body. Similar sentiments appeared in early Buddhist and Jain traditions, which viewed non-violence (ahimsa) as a sacred duty.
A Vision of Peace
The Bible’s prophetic books often imagine a world of harmony between all living creatures. Isaiah 11:6–9 describes a time when “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb” and no creature will harm another. For some, this serves as a spiritual foundation for the ideal of a cruelty-free diet.
Continuity into the Present
Though history saw many shifts toward animal-based diets, the ethical and spiritual arguments for plant-based eating persisted. The Renaissance revived interest in classical vegetarian ideas, and the 19th century saw the birth of organized vegetarian societies. Today’s vegan movement can be seen as the latest chapter in this ancient, ongoing story.
Conclusion
Veganism is not a modern invention—it’s a revival of humanity’s oldest dietary ideals. From the fields of ancient Egypt to the vision of Eden, the wisdom of plant-based living has been preserved across cultures and centuries, waiting for each generation to rediscover.
