When we think of saving money, one iconic object often comes to mind: the piggy bank ever wondered where tradition originated? Let’s take a journey through time to uncover the fascinating history of the piggy bank. Our story begins in the 12th century on the island of Java, now part of Indonesia. Here, the earliest known pig-shaped money containers were created. The Javanese people used the term cèlèngan (pronounced chuh-LEH-ngan), which translates to 'likeness of a wild boar. it referred both to the animal-shaped container and to the concept of savings. A large number of these boar-shaped money containers were discovered in Trowulan, a village in East Java believed to be the site of the capital of the Majapahit Empire. Meanwhile, in Europe, pigs also became associated with good fortune and prosperity. In Germany, where pigs were revered as symbols of luck, the tradition of piggy banks took root. The oldest German piggy bank dates back to the 13th century and was unearthed in Thuringia during construction work. pigs contributed to the popularity of pig-shaped savings containers across Western cultures. The origin of the English term "piggy bank" is true roots remain uncertain with various folk etymologies offering explanations. The Oxford English Dictionary first recorded the term in 1913, while an earlier variation, "pig bank," dates back to 1902. It is thought that pig-shaped savings containers became popular in Western culture due to German traditions, where pigs symbolized good fortune. The oldest known German piggy bank, from the 13th century, was uncovered during construction in Thuringia. Additionally, references to "pig bank" appear in newspaper articles as early as 1900. In Mexico, piggy banks are called alcancías, a word with roots in Andalusian Arabic. So next time you drop a coin into a piggy bank, remember the centuries of history that shaped this simple yet meaningful tradition.