Surely we have all seen the Maneki Neko, literally translated as the lucky cat, it is not necessary to go back to its origins in China or Japan to see it, right here, in many oriental establishments we can see them located near the store's cash register. But not only that, many are also adopting it to decorate their own homes.
Well, in this article on our site we are going to offer you more information about the story of the lucky Chinese cat, Maneki Neko that you must know to be more aware of its meaning and the purpose of its possession. Is its leg constantly moving by some demonic pact or does it take batteries? What does it mean to be golden? Read on to find out.
What is your origin, Chinese or Japanese?
This is a point that supposes a strong dispute between both traditions, the Chinese and the Japanese, who dispute the authorship of its origin. However, we can affirm that although the Chinese could also justify that it comes from their ancestral culture and we know it as the "Chinese lucky cat" the true lucky cat has its origin in JapanIn fact Maneki Neko in Japanese means Lucky Cat or Cat that attracts, in China it would be known as Zhaocai Mao.
It is normally associated with Chinese culture by a traditional Chinese proverb that reads as follows: "When a cat rubs its face up to its ears, it means that it is going to rain."
Two are the traditional Japanese folktales that tell the story of the origin of the Maneki Neko:
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In the first of them we are told the story of a we althy man who was caught off guard by the storm and sought refuge under a tree that was right next to a temple. It was then when at the door of the temple he saw what looked like a cat calling him with his paw, inviting him to enter the temple, he did so following the advice of the feline.
As he left the tree, lightning struck from the sky, splitting the strong wood in half. The man, interpreting that the cat had saved his life, became a benefactor of that temple, bringing with him great prosperity. When the cat died, the man ordered a statue to be made of it that would be known over the years as the Maneki Neko.
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The other tells a slightly more sinister story. One in which a geisha had a cat that was her most precious treasureWhen going to dress one day in her kimono the cat jumped digging nails into the fabric. Seeing this, the owner of the geisha thought that the cat was possessed and was attacking the girl and with a quick movement he drew his sword and cut off the cat's head. The head fell on a snake that was about to attack the geisha and saved the girl's life. She was so hurt and upset by losing her cat, her savior, that one of her clients, ashamed, he gave her a statuette of the cat to try to comfort her.
So it's funny that we call it the Chinese lucky cat story, right?
Maneki Neko Symbolism
Currently, Maneki Neko figures are used by both Easterners and Westerners to attract fortune and good luck, both to homes and businesses. You may see different models of lucky cat, so depending on the leg they have raised, it will have one or another meaning:
- To attract money and fortune, those who have their right paw raised.
- To attract good visitors and guests, those with their left paw raised.
- In rare cases you will see them with both legs raised, what they are looking for is to bring protection to the place where they are.
Color is also an important nuance in the symbology of the Maneki Neko, although we are used to seeing them in gold or white, there are many other colors:
- The gold or silver colored ones are used to seek to bring fortune to a business.
- The white lucky cat with orange and black details is the traditional and original one, which is placed to offer luck to travelers on their way. In addition, it also attracts good things to its owner.
- The one in red seeks to attract love and drive away evil spirits.
- Green looks for the closest people to enjoy he alth.
- Yellow is used to improve your personal finances.
- The one that will help you fulfill all your dreams is the blue one.
- Black is a shield against bad luck.
- Rosa will be the one to help you find the right match for you.
Apparently we are going to have to get hold of a legion of Chinese lucky cats of all colors to be able to enjoy all the benefits and protections they offer.
In addition to colors, these cats can carry objects or accessories, and depending on what they carry, their meaning will also vary slightly. For example, if you see them with a golden mallet in their claw, it's a money mallet, and what it does when you shake it is try to attract it. With a Koban (Japanese lucky coin) you seek to attract even more good luck. If it bites a carp, what it intends is to attract abundance and good luck.
Fun facts
It is very common that in China or Japan cats roam freely through streets and shops, it is a highly appreciated animal, it may be because of this tradition. If the plastic or metal ones work, what can't a real one do?
It is also a very widespread belief in the East, to think that cats are capable of seeing some "things" that people cannot even imagine. That is why many have a cat, because they have the firm conviction that they are capable of seeing and driving away evil spirits. I illustrate it with another legend.
They say that a demon came to take away a person's soul, but this person had a cat, who saw the demon and asked about her intentions. The cat did not object to taking the soul of the human who lived in his home, however, to let the demon pass, he challenged him to count each and every one of the hairs on his tail.
Neither short nor lazy, he began to count but when he was close to finishing he shook the cat's tail at him. The demon got angry but he started again with the first hair, although the cat once again shook his tail. After several attempts he gave up and left, with which the cat willingly or not had saved his master's soul."
To finish, you should know that the gesture of the movement of the Maneki Neko's paw is not about saying goodbye, but to welcome you and invite you to come in.
