A Japanese proverb, neko wo koroseba nanadai tataru (If you kill a cat, it will haunt your family for seven generations) is based on a folk belief that cats are revengeful and have longevity beyond human lives,” Okuyama continues. There is a deep-rooted belief in the power of cats: Look after them, and they’ll look after you. Maneki-neko are typically depicted seated and holding a koban coin, an oval gold coin from Japan’s Edo period. It features the phrase, sen man ryou (千万両), meaning 10 million gold pieces. It remains unclear how these iconic statues spread outside the islands of Japan to become so well-known throughout Asia and the rest of the world. Maneki-neko also come in different colors, depending on the type of good fortune the owner is trying to obtain. The traditional maneki neko is seated, holding an oval-shaped gold coin called a koban. Maneki neko figurines tend to have red, pointed ears and carry various accessories. They often wear scarves, bells, or decorative bibs.

Bibsare often red and worn for protection; this aligns with jizo statues seen in shrines and temples. According to Japanese folklore, cats carry protective qualities and represent good fortune. It’s not uncommon to see maneki neko displayed in other Asian cultures and regions, leading some to believe the fortuitous cat has Chinese origins mistakenly. It’s even an option for maneki neko figurines to have both paws raised and waving, acting as a protective totem. Some believe the higher the paws are raised, the more powerful the fortune-bringing gestures are. Maneki Neko FeaturesThe maneki neko statue is often white, but it can come in various colors, each with a special meaning. Types of Maneki-Neko Whatever the precise location of the statue’s origin, one thing is for sure: The cats bring in good fortune. The reason for their prevalence seems to be linked to their real-life analogs. In 1602, an imperial decree set free all cats in Japan, intending to capitalize on the felines’ natural ability for pest control, especially in the sericulture community. After the decline of the silk trade, cats by extension remained as talismans for a business’s prosperity. Carp fishare sometimes used to depict vigor and strength and can also be used to represent a fruitful bounty.

In Western culture, domestic cats make great pets. But in Japanese folklore, feline friends have protective powers and symbolize good fortune. Knowing this, it should come as no surprise that the maneki-neko is believed to represent one particularly legendary cat. The meaning also changes depending on which paw is raised: the right paw attracts money and good fortune; the left invites friendship and customers. Other additions include a ryō (an oval-shaped Japanese coin) to represent wealth, as well as historically true-to-life accessories, such as a bib or bell, that point to how pet cats were regarded and cared for in Japanese society. Sometimes maneki neko has the right arm raised to protect and attract wealth. The right arm is associated with money and good fortune. The left paw can be raised to invite happiness and entry, such as customers for a business or friends to a home.

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This image is used as an amulet designed to attract business and promote prosperity. It is to be found at the entrance of restaurants and shops, where, with its ingratiating feline qualities and uplifted paw, it may invite customers and bid them enter,” Ball continues. One well-known story involves the pet bobtail cat of a 17th-century penniless monk, thought to be the inspiration for the original maneki neko. The placement of a maneki neko doll is an important detail in Japanese culture. When placing maneki neko at home, it’s recommended to situate it in what’s known as the area of wealth – in the southeastern corner. When maneki neko are placed in the southeast corner, they’re believed to generate financial good fortune. Grateful to the cat for saving his life, the ruler made it a patron of the temple where it has been venerated in its very own shrine ever since. If the home has an office, this wealth-generating workspace and the fortune-bringing cat should be in or near this corner, with the cat facing southeast if possible. Where to See and Learn More