The Maneki-Neko, a Japanese cat for prosperity and luck

All over the world, cats come with different beliefs and thoughts. Some say cats are evil and bring with them bad fortune and ill luck, while others say that they are bringers of love and fortune, and an affectionate cat can fill your life with pleasantness. And there are some other beliefs where cats are ‘just fine’, but a black cat should never be meddled with! They shouldn't be brought home, shouldn't be kept as pets, and one should not even walk the same path they tread on.
And thus, across cultures, cats come with different beliefs.

In many cultures, cats are seen as lucky animals. Japanese folklore, for example, has many legends and stories about cats bringing good fortune, protecting people from harm, and even helping people walk on the right path. In some cultures it is also believed that when cats come to your door, it means that prosperity will knock your door soon and that life will be filled with opportunities. Some decide to give black cats to couples as a wedding present.

Across cultures, cats are also seen as symbols of power and mystery. Some believe that cats can see spirits, ones that are invisible to the human eye, and thus will warn their people of the dangers. In some folktales, it was believed that cats can reach the spirit world and act as protectors against misfortune.
In the Egyptian lands, cats were seen as creatures who asserted dominance and power for their wits and wisdom.

When visiting a shop, new or old, one must have noticed a small cat figurine sitting near a shelf or near the counters. This cat is a part of the Maneki-Neko which dates back to the Edo period and is believed to have originated from the Gotokuji Temple. The cat figurines come in colours of white, gold, red, green, and more, and their defining feature is that their paws are raised in a beckoning pose, or are constantly moving up and down. These figurines also have a gold coin on their neck or in their arms.

The Maneki-Neko is most commonly linked to financial success. Many believe that keeping one of these cat figurines in a shop or in the office encourages customers to spend money, leading to greater profits. The gesture where the cat has its paw raised or moving up and down is seen as an invitation to prosperity. Some people take extra care in positioning their Maneki-Neko, keeping them near the entrance of their office or shop to attract good luck.

One of the most famous spaces where one can the Maneki-Neko is near the cash register or the money vault of the space. Be it in shops, cafes, restaurants, or offices, people who keep these cat figurines, keep them in a place where they want money to enter. As the cat’s paw is believed to invite customers and prosperity inside, it also gets positioned near the money spaces.

While the Japanese lucky cat is mostly seen in shops and business establishments, they can also be kept at home!
It is believed that bringing these lucky cats home also invites happiness, protection, and financial stability to the household, and keeping the Maneki-Neko near the entrance, living room, or personal workspace, will help attract positive energy. People can keep a golden Maneki-Neko for wealth building, a white Maneki-Neko to fight off conflicts, and a blue figurine for good health.