Maneki Neko
Maneki Neko
The Legends Of Kind Lucky Cats
In Japan, these figures are exhibited in front of shops, restaurants and businesses. According to folk wisdom, a raised right paw brings good luck, while a left raised paw brings clients. The lucky cats come in different forms: statues, key rings, flasks with air fresheners, etc.
When looking at the Manekineko, you might think that it's waving. In fact, it's calling you to come closer and do something. In the East (particularly in Japan), a person who beacons someone will raise their hand and move their fingers until they attract attention. Europeans do it similarly, but with their hand directed toward themselves. The cats for the Western markets often have a "Europeanized" paw direction.
The meaning of the raised paw changed over time. Cats with two raised paws are the best (just in case). It's believed that the higher the paw, the more luck the cat will draw.
The traditional color for "lucky cats" is a mix of white, black and red - the so-called "tricolor". The "tricolor" is common for the Japanese Bobtails. Along with the classical coloring they also make the following one-color figurines: White (purity), Black (reflects evil), Red (drives away evil and disease), Golden (wealth), and Pink (love).
Typically, the cats wear collars and bells. This symbolism has its roots in ancient times, when domestic cats in wealthy families wore collars and bells (to locate the pet). The figures can also wear a bib – clothing for cats in ancient families. Sometimes they are depicted with a coin (koban – worth about one thousand dollars) in their paws, to attract good luck and wealth. The figurines of cats with coins are often used as piggy banks.
There are many legends associated with these cats:
Temple Cat: A wealthy lord was hiding under a tree during a storm near a temple. Suddenly he saw the priest's cat waving to him. He followed the cat, and the next moment lightning struck the tree under which he was hiding. Soon the lord and the priest became friends, and the temple became very prosperous. When the priest's cat died, the first Maneki Neko prototype was made in its honor.
Young Lady: A young lady had a beloved cat. One night the cat began to drag her away. Another woman (her hostess) decided that the cat was bewitched and cut its head off. The cat's head flew off and crushed a snake ready to attack. The young lady was truly saddened by her pet's death. One man brought her a wooden cat figure to gladden her.
Old Woman: One old woman was so poor that she had to sell her cat. Later, her cat appeared to her in a dream and advised her to make a cat figurine from clay. In the morning the old woman did as advised and sold the figure. She started to make more figurines and sell them - thus she became very rich.
The image of Maneki Neko had a great influence on modern culture: the "Hello, Kitty!" character and the "Manekineko" book by Bruce Sterling, where the paw gesture is the symbol of a secret network based on artificial intelligence. This talisman in commonly used in Feng Shui. You can build Your Own figures of the feng shui lucky cats; they will draw luck and wealth into Your Home.
About the Author
Jakob Jelling runs http://www.fengshuicrazy.com which teaches the ancient art of feng shui. Please visit his website to learn more about feng shui lucky cats.
 |
 lucky cat art skeleton day of the dead fantasy japanese maneki neko goth canvas  US $65.00
|
 lucky cat skeleton art day of the dead gothic Japanese fantasy maneki neko 8x11 US $25.00
|
 lucky cat skeleton art day of the dead gothic Japanese fantasy maneki neko 5x7 US $15.00
|
 LUCKY CAT w PINOT GRIGIO ART PRINT CARD Maneki Neko Calico Cat White Wine US $22.00
|
 LUCKY CAT w PINOT NOIR ART PRINT CARD Maneki Neko Purple Cat Red Wine US $22.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY CATS OF WELL BEING Art Print Card Green Red Calico Cats US $22.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY CAT w LADYBUG SUNFLOWERS Art Print Matching Card US $22.00
|
 LUCKY BLACK CAT DRAGONFLY ART PRINT CARD Maneki Neko Lavender Flowers US $22.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO RASPBERRY CAT ACEO PRINT Titled Signed Numbered US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO BLUEBERRY CAT ACEO PRINT Titled Signed Numbered US $7.00
|
 A LUCKY GLASS OF CHABLIS ACEO PRINT Maneki Neko Cat w White Wine Grapes US $7.00
|
 A LUCKY GLASS OF BURGUNDY ACEO PRINT Maneki Neko Cat w Red Wine Grapes US $7.00
|
 3 LUCKY BLACK MANEKI NEKO CATS in an AUTUMN TREE ACEO PRINT US $7.00
|
 LUCKY PURPLE SWEET DREAMS MANEKI NEKO CAT ACEO PRINT w Kitten Stars US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY SIAMESE CAT w KOI FISH ACEO PRINT US $4.99
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY CAT LIGHTHOUSE ACEO PRINT US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO BLACK CAT IN AUTUMN TREE ACEO PRINT Lucky Kitty Full Moon US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY CAT w MEAD HONEY WINE ACEO PRINT US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY GHOST CAT w GOLDEN SKULL STARS ACEO PRINT US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY CAT DAFFODILS ACEO PRINT Titled Signed Numbered US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY TUXEDO CAT w LADYBUG HYDRANGEAS ACEO PRINT Titled Signed US $4.99
|
 MANEKI NEKO LUCKY PINK CAT w GOLDEN ROSES ACEO PRINT Titled Signed Numbered US $7.00
|
 MANEKI NEKO FAIRY CATS OF SPRING ACEO PRINT Titled Signed Numbered US $7.00
|
 ACEO original art Japanese Good Luck Cat direct from artist maneki neko US $20.00
|
 PHOTO 4x6 MANEKI NEKO photograph LUCKY CAT color OE photograph by Pat Anderson US $3.51 |
 ACEO MANEKI NEKO print LUCKY CAT color Open Ed Photograph by Pat Anderson SRA US $2.63
|
maneki neko
