What is Lucky Cat? The Maneki Neko, features, colors and more!

The Lucky Cat or Maneki-Neko is one of the most traditional amulets in Japan. The cat that waves can be seen in stores, restaurants and businesses in general, always next to the cash register. Yeah, this talisman with the raised paw is believed to attract money, prosperity and good customers.

However, depending on the position of the raised paw, it has a different meaning. If the left paw is raised, it attracts good customers; but, if it is the right paw, it will attract good luck and prosperity. Lucky Cat’s colors are also crucial to achieving your goals.

Throughout this article, the legends that gave rise to the Maneki-Neko, historical events, ways to use it as decoration and where it is possible to find this talisman that brings so much happiness to those who own it will be shown. To find out everything about the Lucky Cat, read on.

Find out, in this topic, what are the characteristics and meaning of one of the most popular amulets in Japan and the world: the Lucky Cat or Maneki-Neko. Also learn how to use it to decorate your home or business, in addition to choosing the ideal cat for your purpose. Check it out below.

Maneki-Neko, the Lucky Cat, appeared in Japan in the Edo period (1602 to 1868), and the amulet originated through the millenary Bobtail cat breed. The translation for Maneki-Neko is literally “the cat that beckons”, as it was believed that he beckoned to people. However, the cat was just cleaning itself or playing.

Cats are sensitive animals and at the slightest sign of danger, they are always on the alert. Therefore, their gestures are understood as an omen or a sign, for example. It is not known for sure how and when the statue was made. However, there are many legends and stories that guarantee that Lucky’s cat is a powerful amulet to conquer your goals.

The Lucky Cat has a very important meaning for the Japanese and Chinese. They believe that Maneki-Neko can bring financial abundance, prosperity and good luck. The amulet is widely used to attract customers to their businesses, restaurants or in the work environment, to protect finances.

However, in addition to attracting wealth, the Lucky Cat attracts good energy, improves relationships, protects against bad energy and disease. Soon, the Maneki-Neko became an extremely essential object to have at home, with you or in places that need to be protected.

The Maneki-Neko is the statue of a cat, they are usually white, and they have one of their paws raised, they have big eyes and a rounded face. Another characteristic inherited from the period in which it originated is that at the time cats were expensive and, in order not to lose them, hi-chiri-men (luxury red fabric) was used along with a bell around the neck.

In addition, the lucky cat has several versions, and the most traditional is the cat with one paw raised and the other paw holding a gold coin, the Koban. As it became popular, it is possible to find Maneki-Neko in different sizes, shapes and colors, each serving to achieve a personal goal. Also, depending on which paw is raised, it will have a different meaning.

The position of the Maneki-Neko’s paws has different meanings and purposes. If the lucky cat has its paw up, it will attract good customers and maintain good relations. The raised right paw serves to attract prosperity, fortune and good luck.

There is also the Maneki-Neko with both paws raised. This version is more difficult to find, but it symbolizes protection, luck, financial abundance and attracts people. Also, the higher the paw is raised, the more money and customers are attracted.

The Maneki-Neko is usually adorned with a red collar with a small bell, much used at the time by court ladies to watch over the cat. As a figurine, it is common for the lucky cat to hold a Koban (coin from the Edo period). However, it was a coin of little value, and in the Maneki Neko the koban is worth ten million, which means that it is just a symbol to attract fortune.

In addition, there are examples of Maneki-Neko holding a magic hammer, which represents money and wealth. A carp, which symbolizes good luck and prosperity, and a marble, which attracts money. It is believed to be a crystal ball that is associated with wisdom.

Maneki-Neko day is celebrated on September 29, with several festivals spread across Japan, such as, for example, in the city of Mie, Seto, Shimabara and Nagasaki. However, lucky cat day is also celebrated on other dates depending on the location.

The date was chosen because of a numerical pun. Nine is ku in Japanese. September, which is the ninth month, turned into kuru, which represents the verb to arrive. The number two is called futatsu and only the first syllable, fu, is paid. In this way, twenty-nine becomes fuku, which means luck, prosperity and wealth. Thus, 9.29 symbolizes kuru fuku, which roughly means “The luck that comes through the cat of happiness”.

The Lucky Cat, in addition to bringing luck, prosperity and good energy, is a very elegant decorative piece that can be used in any environment. However, it is recommended that you place the Maneki-Neko at a high point so that it stands out; and facing the entrance, either of your home or your business establishment.

There are many varieties of Maneki-Neko to decorate your home or business, you can find the Lucky Cat made of ceramics, porcelain and some electronic models, where the cat moves both paws. Another way to use Maneki-Neko is through keychains, piggy banks or key rings.

It is believed that the bobtail breed emerged around 1600, in the Edo period, and its ability to hunt rats and pests made it such a popular and valued animal. The Maneki-Neko is a breed of Bobtail cat and is distinguished by its tail, which looks like a pom-pom. However, this characteristic is due to a genetic mutation.

The bobtail breed is one of the most traditional in Japan and is an intelligent and very docile feline. They love to interact with their owners, play in the water and are easy to get along with other animals, especially dogs.

There are many legends that tell how the Lucky Cat came to be. However, real and imaginary stories are confused, causing more mysteries behind the emergence of Maneki-Neko. Next, learn about some legends and historical events and the origin of the Lucky Cat.

The story that is told says that, in Gōtoku-ji Temple, there lived a monk and his kitten. One day, a noble man took shelter under a large tree near the temple during a heavy rain. Suddenly, the man’s attention turned to the kitten who seemed to beckoning to him.

Intrigued, he went to meet the cat and, as he walked away from his shelter, lightning struck the tree. From then on, the man understood that the gesture had saved his life and started donating to the temple, where he became prosperous and visited by everyone in the region. In addition, the nobleman ordered a huge statue to be made out of gratitude to the cat.

According to legend, in Imada, in the Edo period, a lady lived with her kitten. Experiencing many financial difficulties and not having anything to eat for herself and the cat, so she decided to donate him so that he would not starve. As she lay down, she asked the gods for help to get out of that situation and dreamed of her cat.

During her dream, the cat guided her to make clay statues with her image, as it would bring luck. The next morning, the lady produced the statue and, noticing her cat washing its face, she decided to mold the cat with its paw raised. The old woman managed to sell the first image and many others. From then on, she prospered and lived without hardship.

The geisha was a beautiful young woman full of talents and she lived with her kitten. Very docile and companion, he loved to play with the girl. While the geisha was putting on her kimono, the cat jumped out and tore all her clothes.

Thinking that the geisha was being attacked, a man approached and with his sword cut off the kitten’s head. However, despite the sad situation, the cat’s body fell into the claws of a snake that was about to attack the girl. Heartbroken over losing her kitten, she was given a statue of her cat by her client.

There are many events throughout history that prove how lucky cats are. In the Edo period (1602 to 1868), the Emperor ordered the cats to be released, as their hunting skills could control rodents and other pests that were plaguing the country’s agriculture and sericulture.

Even after the textile industry declined, in Japan, cats became sacred animals that bring luck and believe that they can signal danger depending on their gestures. Thus, the Lucky Cat statue came to be regarded as an amulet that brings prosperity and, with its raised paw, calls customers to the city’s businesses.

Over the years, the Maneki-Neko has become an indispensable talisman in stores, restaurants, and especially in homes. And for each purpose it is possible to find the statue in different colors and paw positions.

During the Meiji period (1868 to 1912), Maneki-Neko statues became popular. And with the intention of expanding the amulet to other countries, the government created a law in 1872 that prohibited any talisman that made reference to something obscene. To replace these adornments, the Maneki-Neko was placed everywhere and quickly spread throughout Asia.

Between 1980 and 1990, many Japanese people migrated to the United States and took their culture and customs with them. The “Cool Japan” era helped further spread Maneki-Neko’s presence in the West.

The popular Maneki-Neko has spread around the world and…