For several centuries now, people from various countries have been fond of collecting money in a piggy bank, storing them until better times. It is piglet that is primarily associated with the piggy bank in most countries. Where did the tradition come from to collect finances in a vessel made in the shape of this animal?
Where did the first piggy banks appear?
Historians are not yet ready to give an answer when and where the first piggy bank appeared. At the moment, there are three theories of the emergence of piggy banks.
For the first time, a piggy bank could appear in Germany, around the 17th century. Then in the country clogged hollow circles were spread, where people put their little things. On the surface a goal was signed for which fundraising was carried out, and upon reaching the required amount the dishes were broken. It was impossible to get money from the vessel in any other way.
Some believe that they first appeared in China. Since this country has developed the production of porcelain and ceramics, which is the main material for piggy banks.
The first piggy banks could appear in Malaysia. On the territory of this state, piggy banks were discovered, it is estimated that they are one and a half thousand years old. Most likely, one of the inhabitants of Malaysia guessed to store coins in a self-made container for greater reliability. However, this case is one-time, and piggy banks in Malaysia were not common.
Perhaps in the future, historians will come to a single conclusion where the first piggy banks appeared.
Piggy banks in Russia
The way to save money was characteristic of the inhabitants of Russia since the Middle Ages, during the time of Kievan Rus. Chests filled the boyars with coins, which they placed at the head of the bed. Poor people hid money in socks, jugs, and other hollow objects.
Over time, small caskets, which served as prototypes of modern safes, became very widespread. They were equipped with secret locks, a double bottom and other tricks that did not allow outsiders to gain access to the treasure.
Piggy banks actively spread in Russia in the 80s of the XIX century. Most often, they were presented to children in order to teach them how to properly manage money and not spend it all at once.
Interesting fact: the expression “penny ruble saves” appeared just thanks to the piggy banks. After the revolution of 1917, the state actively promoted them to the masses, accompanying it with the slogan “the Soviet ruble saves a penny”.
In Soviet times, piggy banks were often made in the form of books and cats, but now you can find dishes of any shape. Reusable piggy banks are made of different materials: iron, wood, ceramics, etc. Disposable piggy banks that need to be broken to extract money are often made of gypsum.
Why are piggy banks made in the form of pigs?
This tradition originated in England. In the Middle Ages, most dishes in this state were made of cheap clay, which even poor peasants could afford. Such material was called “pygg”, which was consonant with “pig” (pig).
When in England they started making piggy banks from this material, they were called a “pyggy bank”, which very quickly turned into a “piggy bank” (pig-piggy bank). As a result, this led to the fact that the potters began to make piggy banks in the form of these pets.Residents reacted positively to this, because the vessels looked so much more interesting, and they literally wanted to add money.
In the XIX century, this feature migrated to other countries. On the shelves of foreign stores pigs began to be sold, in which it was proposed to store small things. People abroad did not wonder where such a tradition came from, but they had nothing against it.
The tradition of making piggy banks in the form of pigs appeared in England in the Middle Ages. At that time, most dishes and household utensils were made of orange clay, due to its low cost. The material in English is called “pygg”, which is consonant with “pig“ (pig). Because of the similar pronunciation, piggy banks quickly became known in honor of this animal. Seeing this, the potters began to make vessels in the form of pigs.
