Vanuatu is an island nation in the Melanesian archipelago of the Pacific Ocean. The national flag and emblem feature a unique design: one end is thick, the other is pointed, and it curves into a circle, somewhat resembling a horn, yet upon closer inspection, it does not. What is it? And why does it appear on the flag and emblem of a nation? The answer is: pig teeth.
In Vanuatu, pig teeth symbolize wealth. The depiction of pig teeth on the national flag and emblem signifies that "wealth and prosperity belong to the people of Vanuatu," which carries a very positive meaning. Traditionally, the residents of Vanuatu have long used pig teeth and dog teeth as currency. Here, a dog tooth is equivalent to a coin, and one dog tooth can be exchanged for 50 pineapples or 100 coconuts; while a pig tooth is equivalent to "cash," and depending on the quality of the tooth, one pig tooth can be exchanged for several or even a dozen dog teeth.
The people of Vanuatu have a special standard for evaluating the quality of pig teeth: bigger is not necessarily better, but rather, the more curved, the better. A tooth that is curved into an arc or even spirals several times is considered extremely valuable—the pig teeth on the national flag and emblem are shaped into a large circle. The pigs here are not much different from those elsewhere; if left to grow naturally, their tusks would also grow long and pointed like those in other regions. However, the locals have their own methods: they raise piglets until they are one year old and then remove their upper canine teeth, allowing the lower canine teeth to naturally grow into a curved shape. If lucky, they can even curve into three circles.
Of course, as a well-known offshore financial center, Vanuatu cannot use pig teeth or dog teeth for currency transactions within its banking system. The local government has long enacted laws to replace pig teeth and dog teeth with a formal currency called "Vatu," which has become the legal tender of the country. However, many people in Vanuatu still privately use pig teeth. The government has declared pig teeth to be the "national treasure" of Vanuatu.
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