FORTUNECAT

The FortuneCat or Maneki-neko (招 き 猫), is a popular Japanese sculpture that is said to bring good luck to its owner. It can be seen frequently in stores, restaurants, and other businesses. It is usually a cat that raises its left paw inviting people to enter into business and that carries in its right hand an ancient Japanese coin, called koban (小 判); It usually has a necklace with a bell that is believed to scare away evil spirits, often made of porcelain or ceramic, and also live in plastic. Maneki (招 き) comes from the verb maneku (招 く) which in Japanese means “invite to pass” or “say hello”. Neko (猫) means “cat”. Together, they literally mean “inviting cat”. According to Japanese tradition, the message conveyed by the cat with the movement of its paw is as follows: “Please come in. You are welcome.”