Maneki-neko (招き猫) the figure of a cat with one of its paws raised, has become one of Japan’s favourite lucky charms, and in a short time it has gained dizzying popularity outside the cherry blossom country.
Generally, Japanese lucky cats can be found in the entrance of shops or restaurants in Japan, China and Thailand. Although you will be surprised to learn that in the past they were placed in brothels.
Its purpose is to attract customers and wealth to the shops. Although many people like to place them in their homes as a protective amulet and try to put them out of their misery and provide security, happiness, success, prosperity and money to their residents.
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Maneki neko – meaning
The word maneki in Japanese means “to invite in”, neko is “cat”. Therefore, Maneki Neko literally means “the cat that invites in”.
A raised leg in Eastern culture is a call to enter, not a sign of welcome, as interpreted by Western culture.
The origin of the Japanese lucky cat
The figure is inspired by a Japanese bobtail, a breed of cat that is characterised by the short length of its tail.
The Japanese believe that cats with a tricolour coat attract luck. Interestingly, this type of coat is mainly found in female cats. They are called mike, which means tricolour.
Nor is the position of the cat, with its paw raised, a coincidence.
Centuries ago, in Japan it was said that when you saw a cat washing its muzzle with its paw, it meant that guests would soon arrive. Hence the tradition of placing a figure in a shop or restaurant as a talisman to attract customers.
The symbolism of maneki neko
Traditionally, the figure was presented as a sitting cat with calico fur, predominantly white with black and brown spots.
At the height of its raised ears, it has a raised leg, which invites you to enter. On the other, it has an old Japanese coin from the Edo period, called the koban, which serves as a symbol of good fortune. In addition, on its neck it has a necklace with a small bell, whose purpose is to keep away evil spirits.
Whether the cat is represented with one paw raised or the other will have a different meaning. If its left paw is raised, the maneki neko will attract customers. On the other hand, if it is the right paw that is up, it will attract wealth and prosperity. The higher the leg is raised, the more and better happiness will come.
Sometimes you can find a maneki neko with both paws up. However, it is not very popular in Eastern culture, as it interprets its owner as greedy and miser.
Legend about maneki neko
Nowadays it is difficult to know the exact moment when the figure of the maneki neko became an amulet within the Japanese tradition. There are many legends associated with the figure, one of the most popular dating back to the 17th century.
Gotokuji Temple Cat
According the legend, during the Edo period in Tokyo, Gotokuji Temple faced serious financial problems. At that time, a very poor old monk lived there. Despite not eating for several days, he shared every meal with his cat.
One day, Naokata li, a feudal lord of great fortune, went hunting. He was near the temple when a heavy storm surprised him. As he took refuge under a tree waiting for the storm to pass, he saw a tricolor cat that lifted one of its legs and moved it as if it were calling him. The man, surprised, paying no attention to the downpour, approached the animal to get a better look at it and, at that very moment, the tree was struck by lightning.
His gratitude for saving his life was such that he decided to donate rice fields and farmland to the temple, as well as financing the renovations. In this way, time became rich again and the monk and cat did not suffer from hunger any more.
And when the end of the cat’s life came, they made sure it was buried with due respect and a maneki-neko statue was created in its honour.
Poor grocer
Another legend tells about a poor shop owner who saw a lost and hungry cat one day. Although he was often hungry, he took care of the cat and fed it the food he found. In gratitude, the cat sat down in front of the shop and, raising its paw as an invitation, began to attract customers. In this way, it attracted prosperity and wealth for the poor merchant.
The courtesan Usugumo
There is also a story starring Usugumo, a Japanese oiran or courtesan, who lived in the Edo period.
She was a great cat lover, she even had one that she took everywhere. Some people were surprised by her close relationship and even gossiped that the cat had bewitched her.
One day she went to the bathroom with her pet, but the cat immediately started behaving quite aggressively. It meowed loudly and scratched her. The owner of the house saw what was happening and, thinking that the cat was attacking Usugumo, he drew his sword and cut off the cat’s head. In flight, the cat’s head caught a poisonous snake between its teeth that was hiding in a corner.
Usugumo cried desperately, realizing that his cat had saved his life by dying. When the owner of the house realised what had happened, he wanted to give the young woman a figurine of a cat that looked very much like his beloved pet, with which she would find calm and happiness again.
The meaning of Maneki Neko’s colours
Although the original Japanese lucky cat is tricolour, nowadays, to reinforce the energy of this amulet in different aspects of life, it can be found in different colours:
Maneki Neko Calico
Calico (white with black and brown spots), the traditional colour combination, considered the most traditional, attracts luck, wealth and prosperity.
Maneki Neko White
White attracts chastity and innocence in thoughts and actions, as well as happiness and positive events.
Maneki Neko Black
Black serves as a protector. It is used to protect against negative energy and evil, to chase away evil and malicious spirits, demons and persecutors. It also helps to ensure security and peace.
Maneki Neko Gold
Gold is a magnet for money, wealth and everything material. Maneki neko in this colour is often installed in shops, restaurants and other workplaces.
Maneki Neko Red
The colour red ensures health, protects against bad energy and disease.
Maneki Neko Pink
Pink attracts romance, love and new suitors, as well as strengthening love relationships.
Maneki Neko Green
Green promotes health, helps treatment be effective and ensures the safety and health of the family.
Maneki Neko Blue
Blue is the perfect colour for students. It attracts peace, harmony and increases concentration on learning.
Chinese Lucky Cat
The Maneki Neko have become very popular in China, among other countries. The Chinese, all over the world, place them in their shops.
Therefore, Western customers in Chinese shops can often get the wrong impression that maneki are a Chinese happiness charm. Although as you have discovered today, this is far from the truth.