Bread is symbolically and literally valuable in several ways. Spiritually, bread represents sustenance and is symbolic in Christian religion such as being referred to as "the bread of life" in the Bible. Historically, bread is essential to life and "bread riots" have threatened political leaders when bread was scarce. Bread also represents monetary value and is referenced in language about having money. Overall, bread sustains humans physically, connects them spiritually, and symbolizes life, making the loaf of bread immensely valuable.

1. Bread
Creative Meditations on the value of Bread
Kirk Bloede
Robert Winter
November 7, 2012

2. Spiritual Realm
Bread is abstractly symbolic of multiple concepts
Soul/Spirit
Physical/Sustenance Essential
Commercial/Banal

3. Spiritual Realm
• Bread, the “staff of life,” is the basis of the biblical story of
the loaves and the fishes. Indeed, Jesus says, “I am the bread
of life…” in John 6:35
• Throughout the Christian religion bread is highly symbolic,
e.g. communion

4. Essential
• Bread riots have threatened or even toppled powerful
political leaders
– Boston 1713
– England, 1709, 1740, 1756-7, 1773, 1782 and in particular 1795 and
1801
– Richmond 1863
– Egypt 1977
• Bread is an essential part of life

5. Commercial/Banal
• Reflected in the language – “bread, dough” means money
• e.g.,
“There ain’t no bread in the bread box
'Cause we ain't got no dough”
- Music and lyrics by Norton Buffalo

6. Bread IS Value
• Bread is, literally Value
– Sustains us physically
– Connects us to our spiritual selves via its important symbolism
– Is the ORIGINAL comfort food
– The loaf of bread is of IMMENSE VALUE as a symbol of life, of spirit,
and of sustenance. It also symbolizes wealth