Is cow holy?

The cow is a symbol of love and grace for us(Indians) we honor and worship cow in all festivals.

Hinduism always has held cows to be sacred and we do consider them as Holy. They provide us with Milk which is supposed to be for their offsprings but even though we milk them they never complain. We also regard cow as an equal of our Mothers for similar reasons. Though I am sure, the "Holy Cow" as someone said - was a statement and nothing in particular about religion or beliefs. Still I am unsure as I am not from an English Speaking country with English as my primary language.

the only culture I see the cow being regarded as like being "Holy" is with the Indian/Hindu culture. So I am theorizing that this phrase came from this thought that Cows are holy. I am not 100% sure but that is just connecting things since I do not know of any culture that thinks cows are holy is special but the Hindu religion.

In India the cow is sacred. I think that's where the term came from but I can't be 100% sure. I also think Holy Cow is better than saying the alternative, Holy S***, of course some people can say the alternative without reprisal. Holy Moly or Holy Guacamole is one of my favorites, its not bad and it rhymes.

Almost the whole world knows that the cow is holy for Hindu’s there are a lot of stories about saying that cow is sacred. For Indians every living and non living thing is sacred .Seeing something holy depends on ones mind and beliefs. I believe cow as holy . I put Namaskar when I ever I see a cow because if our mother is holy then cow is also holy .Our life sustained with their milk when we are born That is why cow is called "GO MATA" GO= cow ' MATA=mother which means Mother Cow

a great expression.. "Holy Cow". Yes they are holy because they produce, milk, cheese and beef. Imagine the burger with pure pork? Imagine no cheese in the cheese burger or spaghetti without cheese on it. Imagine, no steak or baby back ribs in Kenny Roger's .. ha ha ha... so that's why the cows are holy. Holy Cow... do you like my idea? hahaha

They think maybe because in the time of Moses, leading the group of Israelite to the place where they belong. According to the bible, due to inpatient of the people waiting Moses, come down from the mountain. Those Israelites, create golden cow as their gods. As far as my opinion is concern. Cow, is only an animal given by God, and those animals are not holy. They are created to serve the human being as foods and usable means human helper.

I think that expression came from India...because they treat cow as holy...and we can't blame them for doing it because it is their cultural and religious beliefs...

Hmm, I never thought about this one, but it is definitely some good food for fodder. Honestly, I have no idea about the roots of this term, but I know that it is a term that I've been using throughout my entire life. The reason that I use this term is because of the fact that I feel like it is a lot better to say Holy Cow as opposed to using curses or saying the Lord's name in vain. Wish someone would be able to share the true roots of this phrase though.

Cow is not holy. It is actually loathed. You can validate it in the bible. Scan Leviticus.

hi shavkat, I don't have an idea where this expression started but I know that in Hinduism they believe that a cow is a sacred animal. happy mylotting

I read that in Hindu, cows considered as holy because their god Shiva riding a white bull, Nandi. Lot of mythology consider cows as holy, Zeus the Greek father of gods. Once took shape as a white bull for saving Eropa, and the Canaanite pagans worship Bull too, and thats why when Prophet Moses (pbuh) received the Ten Commandmends, their starting to worshipping golden calf, which was wrong, and being condemded by Prophet Moses (pbuh)

I have heard it alot of times as well and it is meant for a surprise or unexpected situation. holy cow hahha. it makes me laugh because at times i feel that people make jokes on the chubby ones and say holy cow, i mean fat as a cow.. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day ahead..

Cattle are considered sacred in several world religions, the most notable are Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism as well as the religions of Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome. In India, Cow is a sacred being in Hinduism and the slaughter of cattle is prohibited and their meat is taboo. holy cow! is an exclamation of surprise, astonishment, delight, indignation or dismay. It is a slang used with many variation: holy Moses, [ holy smoke ], holy mackerel, holy crap, and holy moly. Have a nice evening. Ciao!

Hello Shavkat. I see you have a lot of different answers to your question about the origin holy cow.In doing some research I have found that it has nothing to do with India or any religion and cows. According to "Dictionary of American Slang (1960)" it came into use with the comic books along with such expression as holy bucket and or holy cats. It was often used by Batman and Robin.It is a replacement for Holy Christ when used instead of swear words. It was used by teenager in the early movies. Baseball broadcasters Harry Caray,Phil Rizzuto, Earl Gillespie often used the expression in order to keep from swearing on the radio when announcing baseball games. Back in the thirty's Minor leagues baseball announcer Jack Holiday. Now the expression sacred cow which is used to express any thing that is not to be changed or or messed with is more likely to have come from India as in some religions cows cannot be messed with.

Holy cow is just an expression, but that does not mean that the cow is holy, or that they are talking about a cow! Holy cow is justan exclamation of surprise that is used mostly in the US and Canada.

I have an indian classmate before and she was able to explain to us. Cows are considered holy by some religions and beliefs, and well mostly buddhist and Indians would. This is because Cows are like mothers that gives milk to people, we milk them, and milk symbolizes life as well as this is what the babies, (human babies) too would consume when they are born. Cows give milk to us, humans but they never get anything in return, except that they are able to produce milk and only get or eat grass! :D

from what I was understanding it came from India as it is important that life is from milk like it is when almost all living things, milk helps with the growing, the mother gives birth and then gives milk to the young, the humans, the animals, etc. anyway the cow is where we mostly get the milk to drink. as far as holy that is expression alot of people have picked up from hearing others say it, such as alot of things we say and not know the meaning...as my thoughts it is not holy, and neither is water..it is blessed by beliefs ..every country seems to try to find something higher up to turn to as alomost like an idol..where it can be seen.me I look higher up spirtual...

Hello Shavkat, Yes cow is a holy animal because they give us milk without complaining.Cow milk is used to feed infants so they are considered equivalent to mother in Hinduism and mothers are always holy.

I think cows are revered by Hindus because they are life-givers. They provide us with milk of course. Their dung can be used as cooking fuel or in farming to fertilize the soil. Cows were also Krishna's favorite animals. (He was also a fan of the milk maids!) And they are also peaceful animals.