US $31.59
The Legends Of Kind Lucky Cats
In Japan, these figures are exhibited in front of shops, restaurants and businesses. According to folk wisdom, a raised right paw brings good luck, while a left raised paw brings clients. The lucky cats come in different forms: statues, key rings, flasks with air fresheners, etc.
When looking at the Manekineko, you might think that it's waving. In fact, it's calling you to come closer and do something. In the East (particularly in Japan), a person who beacons someone will raise their hand and move their fingers until they attract attention. Europeans do it similarly, but with their hand directed toward themselves. The cats for the Western markets often have a "Europeanized" paw direction.
The meaning of the raised paw changed over time. Cats with two raised paws are the best (just in case). It's believed that the higher the paw, the more luck the cat will draw.
The traditional color for "lucky cats" is a mix of white, black and red - the so-called "tricolor". The "tricolor" is common for the Japanese Bobtails. Along with the classical coloring they also make the following one-color figurines: White (purity), Black (reflects evil), Red (drives away evil and disease), Golden (wealth), and Pink (love).
Typically, the cats wear collars and bells. This symbolism has its roots in ancient times, when domestic cats in wealthy families wore collars and bells (to locate the pet). The figures can also wear a bib – clothing for cats in ancient families. Sometimes they are depicted with a coin (koban – worth about one thousand dollars) in their paws, to attract good luck and wealth. The figurines of cats with coins are often used as piggy banks.
There are many legends associated with these cats:
Temple Cat: A wealthy lord was hiding under a tree during a storm near a temple. Suddenly he saw the priest's cat waving to him. He followed the cat, and the next moment lightning struck the tree under which he was hiding. Soon the lord and the priest became friends, and the temple became very prosperous. When the priest's cat died, the first Maneki Neko prototype was made in its honor.
Young Lady: A young lady had a beloved cat. One night the cat began to drag her away. Another woman (her hostess) decided that the cat was bewitched and cut its head off. The cat's head flew off and crushed a snake ready to attack. The young lady was truly saddened by her pet's death. One man brought her a wooden cat figure to gladden her.
Old Woman: One old woman was so poor that she had to sell her cat. Later, her cat appeared to her in a dream and advised her to make a cat figurine from clay. In the morning the old woman did as advised and sold the figure. She started to make more figurines and sell them - thus she became very rich.
The image of Maneki Neko had a great influence on modern culture: the "Hello, Kitty!" character and the "Manekineko" book by Bruce Sterling, where the paw gesture is the symbol of a secret network based on artificial intelligence. This talisman in commonly used in feng shui. You can build your own figures of the feng shui lucky cats; they will draw luck and wealth into your home.
Some cat figurines =3
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Canadian Pottery Sitting Cat Figurine Speckled White $21.99 |
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GTH SIGNED DEWIT DELFT BLUE CAT FIGURINE DELFT HOLLAND STANDING CAT 7.5"L $40.00 |
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FRENCH FAIENCE CAT KITTEN PLAYING W BALL FIGURINE STATUE SCULPTURE HALLOWEEN ! $575.00 |
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FREEMAN MCFARLIN SIAMESE CAT FIGURINE SIGNED WHITE WITH GREEN EYES EXCELLENT $50.95 |
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SIAMESE CAT/KITTEN LG VINTAGE TERRA COTTA POTTERY FIGURINE ITALY MINT $125.00 |
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Wonderful Vintage Italy Italian Pottery Cat Figurine Black and White Blue Eyes $34.99 |
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Babbacombe Pottery - Lounds Pateman - Cat Figurine $31.59 |
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Beswick 'Cat' Figurine $11.85 |
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Vintage Ceramic Alcobaca Portugal Crouching Stalking CAT Figurine Figure $7.99 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Unikat from Boleslawiec $10.51 |
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BESWICK FIRESIDE SIAMESE CAT FIGURINE LARGE MODEL 1882 $63.20 |
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LISA LARSON gustavsberg Pottery Lila Zoo CAT Figurine $110.00 |
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Roselane Sparkler Art Pottery Ceramic Siamese Cat Figurine w/ Rhinestones $6.99 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Unikat from Boleslawiec $13.75 |
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HOWARD PIERCE 8" BROWN & WHITE PORCELAIN SIAMESE CAT FIGURINE 1950'S $29.99 |
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HOWARD PIERCE 10" BROWN & WHITE PORCELAIN SIAMESE CAT FIGURINE 1950'S $29.99 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Unikat from Boleslawiec $13.75 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Unikat from Boleslawiec $13.75 |
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2 Howard Pierce Cat Figurines Mint Condition $13.49 |
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Vintage Made In Japan Art Pottery Cute Little Black Cat Figurine $3.99 |
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Vintage Made in Japan Ceramic Crouching Siamese Cat Figurine $2.99 |
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Vintage Made in Japan Hand Painted Adorable Ceramic Torti Cat Figurine $3.99 |
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GEROLD PORCELAIN BAVARIA WEST GERMANY BOY/ GIRL /DOG/CAT FIGURINES $22.00 |
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Vintage Hand Painted Folk Art Pottery Cat Figurine Gato Brown Black Rust 4" Tall $24.99 |
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Vintage Pottery Leopard Cub*Marked Italy*Mid Century*Doorstop*Wild Cat Figurine $14.99 |
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VINTAGE KAY FINCH SLEEPING CAT CALIFORNIA POTTERY FIGURINE $19.95 |
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USSR Russian Blue & White Folk Art Pottery Reclining Cat Figurine $12.00 |
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One Crown Calico China blue floral pattern cat figurine 12" tall $27.99 |
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VINTAGE 8" BISQUE FIGURINE OLD VILLAGE WOMAN WITH WHITE CAT JAPAN MIJ LADY $12.99 |
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VINTAGE SHAFFORD HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT FIGURINE 5 1/2'' TALL REDWARE JAPAN $8.00 |
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VINTAGE SHAFFORD TRIO OF HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT FIGURINES REDWARE JAPAN $10.00 |
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VINTAGE SHAFFORD TRIO OF HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT FIGURINES REDWARE JAPAN $10.00 |
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VINTAGE SHAFFORD PAIR OF HALLOWEEN BLACK CAT FIGURINES REDWARE JAPAN $10.00 |
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RARE Gustavsberg Pottery Lisa Larson Zoo Mid Century Cat Animal Figurine $53.01 |
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RARE Gustavsberg Pottery Lisa Larson Zoo Mid Century Cat Animal Figurine Eames $72.52 |
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CUTE VINTAGE DELPH DELFT BLUE & WHITE KITTEN CAT WASHING HIS FACE FIGURINE 4.5" $9.99 |
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TRIXIE Robert Simmons California Pottery Vintage Siamese Cat Kitten Figurine $5.99 |
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CERAMICAS de COIMBRA Portugal Pottery CHEESE COVERED JAR cat figurine w/ mouse $9.99 |
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Carn Pottery Cat Nancledra Penzance Cornwall (Kitty Figurine) $10.00 |
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Vintage Pottery Abstract Long Necked yellow Striped Cat Figurine Bob Tail $12.50 |
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Vintage Beswick Siamese Cat Figurine $23.69 |
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Vintage Cat Figurine Cmielow + Gift !!! $55.00 |
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Beswick "CHESHIRE CAT" figurine from the "ALICE iIN WONDERLAND" series. $237.03 |
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Vintage Morton Potteries Cat Planter With Playful Kittens Figurines-3 Piece Set $24.99 |
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Vintage North Eagle Art Pottery Cat Figurine Soap Lotion Dispenser $7.00 |
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VINTAGE PORCELAIN FIGURINE VASE PLANTER CAT & DOG ON BOOT SHOE JAPAN 1940's $9.99 |
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Antique Sweet cat kitty cats figurine art pottery Japan red ink $19.99 |
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Poppelsdorf Fayence Staffordshire Cat Figurine on Pillow $95.00 |
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Boehm Porcelain Figurines - Birds Dogs Cats Horses Wildlife Etc. / Scarce Book $79.95 |
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California Pottery Figurine - Cat with Jeweled eyes $1.99 |
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Porcelain CAT Figurine L'ARTIGIANATO di CAPODIMONTE - Made In Italy $3.99 |
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SPORTING CAT FOOTBALL FIGURINE JOHN BESWICK 1987 ENGLAND MIB $16.59 |
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Cat figurine Studio Art Pottery Vintage Decor Signed $225.00 |
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Two figurines by Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby of Sweden Cat Girl Flower Girl $9.99 |
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2 MINI FIGURINES CAT AND DUCK ONE BLUE MOUNTAIN POTTERY $7.00 |
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VINTAGE KAY FINCH PINK & GREEN ( 2) CATS FIGURINES $51.99 |
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Vintage 1940's Fr. Pfeffer Porcelain Cat Figurine Gotha Germany $19.99 |
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VINTAGE RARE 1950s MID-CENTURY HOWARD PIERCE 11" LARGE CAT FIGURINE MINT $.99 $15.00 |
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*ROYAL HAEGER MUSTARD COLOR 4 ½” CAT FIGURINE LABEL $25.00 |
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Bradley Exclusive Japan Kitty Cat Kitten Chalkware Figurine/Wall Hanging $3.99 |
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VINTAGE REDWARE POTTERY TWO CATS, KITTENS, 1 SITTING,1 LAYING, FIGURINES $12.99 |
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Vintage Cat Sleeping on a Pillow Hand Painted Delft Blue c D.A.I.C. S&P Figurine $4.99 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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SUPERB 19th c. STAFFORDSHIRE MINIATURE SEATED CAT FIGURINE $9.00 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $37.95 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Polmedia Polish Pottery New Stoneware cat figurine Handpainted from Boleslawiec $30.74 |
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Rare Vintage Freeman McFarlin Cat Figurine $56.00 |
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Vintage Feisty Cat Figurine Genevieve Tully Glendale CA $14.99 |
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Old Vintage Kitten MIJ Figurine Made in Japan Striped Cat Statue $12.00 |
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Kay Finch Muff or Puff Sleeping Cat Figurine $9.99 |
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Retro Haeger Black Cat Figurine-Art Deco Pottery $8.99 |
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Mid Century Italian Pottery Cat Figurine TP Ceramiche $58.72 |
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VINTAGE "ROCKING CAT" FIGURINE JAPAN, ADORABLE! $15.50 |
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Large Rimini blue cat figurine, Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy, 12.6 " $285.00 |
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Deco Flair Cat Figurine Metal Wine Bottle Holder $35.00 Bring some pizzazz to your table with our whimsical metal Wine Bottle Holders. The Cat Figurine Wine Bottle Holder reflects the cuteness of this domesticated feline. With detailing that includes pointed ears, simulated claws, a curly tail, a collar from which a small charm dangles and large whiskers in vibrant red and gold tones this cat gracefully holds any standard wine bottle. Cheers! The produ... |
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Present Time Ceramic Black and White Cat Salt and Pepper Set $7.50 This trendy salt and pepper shaker set is perfect for the Cat lover in your life.... |
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Tag 751284 Figural Black Cat Ceramic Dip Bowl with Spreader $16.33 Hand painted earthenware with embossed detail. Spreaders with stainless steel blades; hand wash. Bowl" 4.5"h x 5" dia; 3 cup capacity. Spreader: 5.5"l x 1.375"w... |
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Dalen OW6 Gardeneer 16-Inch Molded Owl $11.33 DALEN GREAT HORNED OWL *18" high *Hand painted *Plastic *Natural predator of small animals and birds *Effective scarecrow... |
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Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Sensor Owl $29.49 Electronic Scarecrow Garden Defense Owl Has Head Motion Via An Electronic Mechanical System and The Digitally Recreated Sounds Of The Fearsome Predator The Great Horned Owl Head and Sound Movements Are Triggered By Motion Sensors... |
