What is the meaning of Maneki Neko cat?

What is Maneki Neko?

Maneki Neko is the name for Japanese Fortune Cat. A Japanese cultural icon, it is regarded as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and success.

Appearance

Traditionally, the cat figurine is adorned with a decorative bib, collar and bell, with one paw raised and often holding a coin in the other paw.

The bib, collar and bell are most likely in imitation of what was common attire for cats in wealthy households during the Edo period. Red collars made from a red flower, the hichirimen, were popular then and small bells were attached for decoration and to keep track of the cat’s whereabouts.

The coin is known as a koban, used during the Edo period in Japan. A koban was worth one ryō, another early Japanese monetary unit, though the koban most Maneki Neko hold is indicated to be worth ten million ryō.

Maneki Nekos are often made of ceramic, papier mache or sometimes wood.

The gesture

Due to its appearance, Maneki Neko is also known as Beckoning Cat. The Japanese beckons by holding up the hand, palm out, and repeatedly folding the fingers down and back up. However, to the Westerners, it may seem as if the Maneki Neko is waving rather than beckoning. Hence, some of those made for Western markets will have the cat’s paw facing backwards, in a beckoning gesture more familiar to Westerners.

Significance of gesture

Maneki Neko is usually depicted with either the right or left paw raised. The significance of the right and left raised paw differs with time and place. But it is common belief that the left paw raised brings in customers, while a right paw brings good luck and wealth.

Color and its meaning

The traditional Maneki Neko is tri-colored, white with random black and orange patches.

Other common colors are black, red and gold.

It is widely believed that:-

White – represent purity and positive things

Black - for health as well as to ward off evil spirits and stalkers

Red - protect from evil spirits and illness

Gold – immense wealth and prosperity

Legends of Maneki Neko

The Japanese Fortune Cat is the subject of a number of legends. The most common one originates from the legend of the Gotoku-jiTemple.

The story is set in the 17^th century. There was a dilapidated temple, the Gotoku-ji temple, in Western Tokyo. Therein lived a poor old priest and his cat, Tama.

One day a Samurai lord, while taking shelter under a tree near the temple during a thunderstorm, noticed Tama cleaning his face with his paw. As the cat's gesture seemed to be beckoning him, he left his shelter and walked towards the cat. Moments later, lightning brought the tree crashing down. The beckoning cat had saved his life.

In gratitude for the cat saving his life, the Samurai used his influence to bring many wealthy people to the Temple and it soon became prosperous.

Tama had not only saved a life but also relieved the old priest of the burden of poverty. When he died, he was buried with great ceremony. A statue was made in his likeness, reflecting the beckoning raised paw that had brought so much good fortune and prosperity to his owner.

As words of the event spread, people began placing figurines of cats with raised paws in their homes, shops and temples, believing that it would bring them good luck and prosperity – hence it is said to be the origin of Maneki Neko.

Maneki Neko Today

Since 1990s, the Japanese Fortune Cat has become a very popular symbol of good luck and can be easily found in Asian shops and restaurants.

The figurine has also been adapted to many modern variations and comes in different colors and styles. Nowadays the Maneki Neko’s image is also used for coin banks, key chains, air fresheners, and many other novelties or souvenirs.

Most of the fortune cats that we see nowadays are made in China or Taiwan. Good to have one at home to bring luck.

I personally still prefer the traditional design and purchase only the Made-in-Japan Maneki Neko. Images in this hub are from my own collection of 80+ Maneki Nekos, all from Japan.

Note: Please read Maneki Nekos with Golden Hammer and Daruma Doll for more information on this lucky icon.