Traditionally, pretzels are made out of long strips of dough folded over into
a loose 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.