Feng Shui Lucky Cat

Maneki Neko - Beckoning Cat

Maneki Neko, also called as Feng Shui cat, lucky cat or beckoning cat, is a common Japanese sculpture of a cat (traditionally a Japanese Bobtail) that is believed to offer protection and attract fortune to a workplace or a household. These cats can be placed anywhere that you wish for prosperity to flow. It is often made of ceramics and used to attract customers into shops.

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There are two lucky cats that many people put them together as a pair, the first feng shui cat is the one which has its left paw up used to attract wealth. This cat is depicted to be smiling and the smile invites good fortune. The other lucky cat has its right paw up, this cat is responsible for providing protection to those who take care of him as well as to the fortune attracted by his partner. This cat depicts a warming expression which is said to be a gesture of protection of our income from any misfortunes.

Physical Appearance

The feng shui cats should be created in such a way that they have the capability to see in the dark (just like the real cat) and shield you from harmful energies. They are trusted to protect or defend not only financial security but also our entire home and those who live in it.

This beckoning cat usually have some sort of decoration around their its neck. That can be a scarf or a neckerchief but the most common attire is a bell, collar and decorative bib. The decoration is made to resemble of those cats in wealthy households during the Edo period. The bib also might be related to the bibs often decorating statues of divinity Jizo Bosatsu. The cats are sometimes depicted holding a koban (a gold coin used during the Edo period in Japan). These cute cats are meant to be white, with a black and gold spots on their fur that look like coins.

Where to Place Lucky Cat

Many people like to place these cats in their wealth area (southeast part of the house) but if these areas are not available, you can also place these feng shui cats in the northeast area. If you intend to place them somewhere else, make sure the feng shui cats you have contain the element of the area. For example, if you want to place them in a metal area then you should choose the lucky cats that are made up of metal, or if you wish to place them in a fire area then the cats should be created to contain fire element.

History and Story of Maneki Neko

Beckoning cat originated from Gotokuji temple that is located in a calm residential area of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo. In this temple, there is a small shrine dedicated to the worship of this beckoning cat.

According to what people said, the beckoning cat originated from the story of a priest’s beloved cat which had brought many good luck or fortune to the Gotokuji temple (in Western Tokyo) in the 16th century. One day, a wealthy feudal lord was taking shelter under a big, tall tree near Gotoku-ji temple during a thunderstorm. He saw a cat beckoning him into the temple and he followed, not long after that the tree was struck by lightning. Because of that, the wealthy man and the poor priest became friends and the temple became prosperous. When the cat died, the first Maneki Neko was made in his honor.

In recent years, this Money cat’s popularity had spread widely to many countries such as United States, Hong Kong, Europe, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The cat is also known as a Wealth Cat, Welcoming Cat or Fortune Cat.