Maneki-neko aka the fortune cat
is a common Japanese figurine (lucky charm, talisman), usually made of ceramic in modern times, which is often believed to bring good luck to the owner. The figurine depicts a cat (traditionally a calico Japanese bobtail) beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—often at the entrance—in shops, restaurants and other businesses. Some of the sculptures are electric or
battery-powered and have a slow-moving paw beckoning. The maneki-neko is sometimes also called the welcoming cat, lucky cat, money cat, happy cat, or fortune cat in English.
The Gesture
To some Westerners it may seem as if the
maneki-neko is waving rather than beckoning. This is due to the difference in gestures and body language recognized
by some Westerners and the Japanese. The Japanese beckoning gesture is
made by holding up the hand, palm out, and repeatedly folding the
fingers down and back up, thus the cat's appearance. Some
maneki-neko
made specifically for some Western markets will have the cat's paw
facing backwards, in a beckoning gesture familiar to more Westerners.
Maneki-neko can be found with either the right or left paw
raised (and sometimes both). The significance of the right and left
raised paw differs with time and place. A common belief is that the left
paw raised brings in customers, while a
right paw brings good luck and
wealth,
although some believe the opposite, or that one paw is for luck and the other for wealth. Another interpretation says that a raised left paw attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it. Still others say that a left paw raised is best for drinking establishments, the right paw for other stores
(those who hold their liquor well are called "left-handed"
(hidari-kiki) in Japanese). Yet another interpretation is that right is for home and left for business.
It is commonly believed the higher the raised paw, the greater the luck. Consequently, over the years
maneki-neko's
paw has tended to appear ever higher. Some use the paw height as a
crude method of gauging the relative age of a figure. Another common
belief is that the higher the paw, the greater the distance good fortune
will come from.
I think its good to get one with both paws up.
I tried to look for this fortune cat with two paws up, but its seems that abit hard ah.
Colours
The most common color is white, followed by black and gold, and
occasionally red is used as well. These are traditional for Maneki-neko. Some consider white to be for good luck generally, black for good health, and gold for monetary good fortune.
After doing some research, i finally bought 1 black colour fortune cat about 1 year back at Vivo City for less $200, i think its about $108, not very sure now. I at
first dont really believe that this cat can bring me fortune. But
because one of my family member is selling some japanese products in Singapore then they really follow the Japanese culture and some
believes. Hence they brought one super big cat and put at their showroom.
big fortune cat
a closer look of the cat
from here it doesnt look really big right? but actually this cat cost up to 1K plus!
By the way, when i bought from that vendors at Vivo , she would require us to draw the layout of the place where you wanna place the cat, for me i place inside my room. So we drew it out and let her see where we can place it. The cat got to face our bedroom door. And also after we bought it home we cannot straight away open it and starts to place coins inside. The lady will advice us what time and when then we open it and place it at the place where she advise us and got to place a "happy" $1 coin inside.
sorry that i couldn't find 2 $1, so i had to use a $0.10 to explain to you.
the left side coin is a sad face and the right one is a happy face. Can you see the difference now?
So start to deposit happy faces coins to your piggy bank now!!
