“Dinner with Trimalchio as explained on Angelfire.com

Fragment 35

The next course is not as grand as Encolpius expects but it is novel. Trimalchio has a course made that represent the 12 signs of the Zodiac, again showing his superstitious nature. Over each sign of the zodiac is food that is connected with the subject of the sign of the zodiac.

Ares the ram - chickpeas (the ram is a sign of virility and chickpeas represent the penis in satire)

Taurus the bull - a beefsteak . Beef is from cattle and the bull represents strength.

Gemini (The heavenly twins) - Testicles and kidneys (since they come in pairs!)

Cancer the Crab- a garland (which looks like pincers) but we also learn later (fragment 39 ) that the is Trimalchios sign and by putting a garland over his sign he is honouring it.

Leo the Lion - an African fig since lions were from Africa.

Virgo the Virgin - a young sows udder , symbol of innocence.

Libra the scales - A pair of balance pans with a different dessert in each!

Scorpio - a sea scorpion

Sagittarius the archer - a sea bream with eyespots, you need a good eye to practise archery.

Capricorn- a lobster

Aquarius the water carrier - a goose i.e. water fowl.

Pisces the fish - two mullets (fish!)

In the middle of the dish is a piece of grass and on the grass a honey comb. We are told by Trimalchio himself that this represents mother earth (fragment 39) who is round like a grassy knoll or an egg and has good things inside her like a honey comb.”