In the strangest ever union, a pig and her better half "tied the knot" in a special ceremony with well-wishers showering their blessings on the couple at a small town in northeastern Taiwan.

The "bridegroom," - a 40 pound boar, and his "bride," just a few pounds lighter entered their marital bliss in a lavish ceremony presided over by local magistrate Lu Kuo-hwa on Monday.

According to AFP news agency, the special "couple" was also blessed from the father of a nearby Catholic Church and around 400 well-wishers.

Additionally, they also received a gift of 100 Taiwan dollars ($3) in cash and the collected money will be donated to purchase a new van for a church-affiliated house for handicapped children.

The country is celebrating year 2007 as the Year of Pig which begins on February 18. The new lunar year comes after the Year of Dog in the 12-animal cycle adopted in East Asian astrology.