The Origin of Piggy Banks

Edisi Indonesia: >> Asal Mula Celengan

The term "moneybox" refers to a box with a small opening on top that is used to store coins. Moneyboxes are typically used by kids. A moneybox is usually made of ceramic or porcelain. The moneybox aims to teach children to save money. In the traditional moneybox, money can be easily put in, but if you want to get the money, the moneybox must be broken. However, modern moneyboxes have a hole with rubber at the bottom to make it easier to take the money stored in the moneybox.

The word "piggy bank" actually comes because the shape of the moneybox is indeed in the form of a wild boar, but in its development, the shape of the piggy bank has been varied and is not limited to the form of animals only.

On the island of Java, the first pig-shaped money containers were discovered in the 12th century. The current Indonesian language also uses the Javanese word cèlèngan, which literally translates to "likeness of a wild boar."

Wild Boar Story >> Sigarlaki and Limbat

At the extensive archaeological site at Trowulan, numerous piggy banks in the shape of boars were found. The town of Trowulan in the Indonesian state of East Java may have served as the Majapahit Empire's capital.

The existence of a piggy bank as a symbol of prosperity is also found in several cultures in Southeast Asia, such as Thailand and the Philippines. In addition, the existence of a pig-shaped piggy bank is also part of the Chinese tradition of celebrating Chinese New Year, which is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

Read also : >> The Origin of Majapahit

Pigs were thought to represent richness and wealth in China during the latter Qing period, according to certain theories. People constructed pig-shaped containers for their currency as a good luck charm. The discovery of a 13th-century piggy bank in Thuringia has led some to speculate that piggy banks originated in Germany.

There are several theories linking the origins of the pig-shaped piggy bank with different cultures and traditions in different countries. Along with the above, there is a theory that the pig-shaped piggy bank originates from the Hindu-Buddhist culture of South Asia, where pigs were worshiped as sacred animals. There is also a theory that the piggy bank has its origins in ancient European cultures, where the pig was seen as a symbol of prosperity and good luck.

However, due to trade routes between different regions and cultures, ideas and concepts about piggy banks may have migrated from one to another, making it difficult to pinpoint a definite point of origin. This shows the existence of cultural interactions and exchanges that have occurred over the centuries between different peoples around the world.

Majapahit terracotta piggy bank