Why is the piggy bank in the form of a pig? Kuya Kim explains

Have you ever wondered why piggy banks are in the form of pigs?

On "24 Oras," Thursday, Kuya Kim said there are various folk etymologies on why it's called a piggy bank.

One of them dates back to the Middle Ages when containers were used to keep money. These containers were made of orange-colored clay called pygg, and the containers were called pygg jars.

It eventually evolved to what we know now as piggy banks.

"Kaya baboy 'yung design ng alkansya dahil nagsisimbolo ito ng isang malusog na hayop," said Dr. Chester Cabalza an anthropologist.

One of the oldest pig-shaped money containers dates back to the 15th century. They were made of terra-cotta and unearthed in Trowulan in East Java, Indonesia.

The Western piggy banks are believed to have originated from Germany. They believe pigs symbolize good fortune.

Perhaps it's no wonder then that according to the Guinness World Records, the biggest piggy bank in the world can be found at a public savings bank in Germany. It is 8.03m in length, 5.58 m in height, and 5.54 m wide.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News