The Pondus Penguin
Encyclopedia
The Pondus Penguin refers to a character in a Danish
children's book, Pondus the Penguin, written and illustrated by Ivar Myrhøj in 1966. The figure is recognized by the red scarf
it wears around its neck. Myrhøj published a total of four books about Pondus the Penguin, all issued between 1966 and 1969.http://www.bibliografi.dk/forfatter.asp?nr=1343. Pondus also serves as a mascot for Denmark's largest bank, Danske Bank
, where Pondus-shaped piggy bank
s have been given to children since 1967.http://www.danskebank.dk/Link/ompondus
Myrhøj's inspiration for Pondus was a King Penguin
living in the Copenhagen Zoo. Two bronze statues of Pondus exist in Denmark, one in Copenhagen Zoo, and one on the pedestrian street in Fredericia
.http://www.danskebank.dk/Link/ompondus
The Pondus penguin mascot
featured on several Canadian
messenger bags around 2005. The bags can still be found in Canadian dollar stores and bargain bins.
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
children's book, Pondus the Penguin, written and illustrated by Ivar Myrhøj in 1966. The figure is recognized by the red scarf
Scarf
A scarf is a piece of fabric worn around the neck, or near the head or around the waist for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons. They can come in a variety of different colours.-History:...
it wears around its neck. Myrhøj published a total of four books about Pondus the Penguin, all issued between 1966 and 1969.http://www.bibliografi.dk/forfatter.asp?nr=1343. Pondus also serves as a mascot for Denmark's largest bank, Danske Bank
Danske Bank
Danske Bank is a Danish bank. The name literally means "Danish Bank" It was founded 5 October 1871 as Den Danske Landmandsbank, Hypothek- og Vexelbank i Kjøbenhavn ....
, where Pondus-shaped piggy bank
Piggy bank
Piggy bank is the traditional name of a coin accumulation and storage receptacle; it is most often, but not exclusively, used by children. The piggy bank is known to collectors as a "still bank" as opposed to the "mechanical banks" popular in the early 20th century. These items are also often used...
s have been given to children since 1967.http://www.danskebank.dk/Link/ompondus
Myrhøj's inspiration for Pondus was a King Penguin
King Penguin
The King Penguin is the second largest species of penguin at about , second only to the Emperor Penguin. There are two subspecies—A. p. patagonicus and A. p...
living in the Copenhagen Zoo. Two bronze statues of Pondus exist in Denmark, one in Copenhagen Zoo, and one on the pedestrian street in Fredericia
Fredericia
Fredericia is a town located in Fredericia municipality in the eastern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark, in a sub-region known locally as Trekanten, or The Triangle...
.http://www.danskebank.dk/Link/ompondus
The Pondus penguin mascot
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
featured on several Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
messenger bags around 2005. The bags can still be found in Canadian dollar stores and bargain bins.