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- For those who aren’t that familiar with Money Cats here’s a bit of background on their origins… Money Cats are also known as Lucky Cats, Fortune Cats or Maneki Neko which in Japanese which translates as ‘beckoning cat’. Money Cats are like a lucky charm or talisman that are popular in Chinese and Japanese cultures and you’ll often find them perched in the entrance of restaurants, shops and other businesses as they are seen to bring luck and fortune to the owner of the business. To some it may appear as the money cat is waving, rather than beckoning which is a cultural difference in body language and gestures between Westerners and the Japanese. The Japanese beckon by holding up the hand with the palm face down and folding the fingers down and back. Some Money Cats have been made specifically for Western markets with a beckoning gesture more familiar to them. There are many different folk tales that are reportedly the source of origin of the money cat, however one of the most popular legends is of the Gotoku temple which relates to a poor monk in the 17th century. The monk resided in a temple in Tokyo and although his life was very difficult he chose to share his meager meals with his pet cat, Tama. One day there was a storm and the monk took refuge under a tree near the temple when he noticed the cat beckoning to him to come into the temple. He followed the cat and when he left the cover of the tree it was immediately destroyed by lightening. When Tama the pet cat died he was buried in the graveyard for cats and the statue of Maneki Neko was made to commemorate it. Whilst this is one of the most popular legends, many people also note the similarities between the money cat and the gesture of a cat washing its face, which in Japanese culture is a belief that when a cat is washing its face a visitor will soon arrive (i.e. bring patrons). There is a significance as to which paw is raised by the cat, a right raised paw is said to bring more money whilst a left raised paw will bring more customers. If both paws are raised it is said to bring protection. The colour of the money cat and the object it is holding also offer significance: Colour • Calico: Often considered to the luckiest colour combination, calico is also the most traditional • White: Purity, happiness and positive things to come • Black: Protection and to ward off evil spirits • Gold: Wealth and prosperity • Green: Good health • Red: Success in love and relationships Object • A Bib and Bell: Can represent wealth and material abundance (showing respect for the cat by keeping it warm and displaying wealth as a gold bell which is a symbol of treasure) • A Coin: Often the coin depicted is an oval shaped koban worth one ryo which many years ago was considered quite a fortune • A Fish: This is symbolic of abundance and good fortune • A Mallet or Hammer: When shaken this small hammer is said to attract wealth • A Marble of Gem: Another sign for wealth, although some people believe this to be a crystal ball for attracting wisdom and guidance.
