Introduction The book Milk: A Local and Global History , written by Valenza, offers a unique outlook on human development through the history of milk. Being a part of many discussions in cultural, religious, and scientific contexts, milk had remained a product of high value for many centuries, appearing in works of philosophers, priests, and travelers. The history of milk’s production, use, and portrayal reveals many fascinating statements about animals and humans, gender roles, and the perception of life and reproduction. The history of religious movements is especially intriguing as the depiction of milk in most ancient religious beliefs had a sacral position. In this case, this fluid was not viewed as a product of consumption but as a source of vitality and immense physical and mental strength (Valenze, 2011). The examples of using milk as a symbol for life creation could be found in the mythologies of Hindu, Mediterranean, Greek, and even European cultures. History of Milk in Culture The purpose of milk in different religions followed a similar pattern. Milk represented human life, as it nourished and maintained the health of people and animals. Moreover, milk was a source of knowledge both of the material world and the world of god. In some religions, its sacred purpose was to deliver the word of god to those who are worthy. Finally, the portrayal of milk in religious movements where it was equated with physical strength granted to warriors and people in need can also be found in many cultures. The history of milk in religion shows these symbolic connections and reveals its sacred nature. The first type of representation of milk deals with its ability to give and maintain one’s life. This description of both animal and human milk can be found in many ancient religions of the world. For example, Valenze (2011) starts describing the presence of milk in ancient faiths with a legend “The Churning of the Primordial Ocean of Milk,” in which milk brought life to the universe and also became a source of all existing things – the sun, the moon, and the stars (p. 13). The connection between milk and life creation is not surprising as mammals, including humans, have to breastfeed their offspring at the beginning of their lives. Thus, the legends of milk being a source of vitality spread across other elements of the world, resulting in oceans of milk being used as a symbol and as the main world-making substance. The similarity of the noun “milk” and the verb “to make” is, therefore, not incidental as well (Valenze, 2011). The differences in religious depictions of milk being either plentiful or scarce had the same purpose of it making it the ingredient for one’s survival. While the production of milk in ancient societies was not developed to offer this substance as a common beverage, the legends about its abundance remained a part of many cultures. For example, the mythology of the North is based on a sacred cow that is “responsible for feeding human ancestors” (Valenze, 2011, p. 14). Here, the cow and its milk are the sources of life for every human and the symbol of universal motherhood. The faith of the western Africa peoples also notes the importance of milk and even state that it’s one single drop created the whole world (Valenze, 2011). Again, the use of milk in these legends is directly connected to the proc