The Colors Variations of Maneki Neko
While the original kitty was white-colored, Maneki Neko now comes in a variety of colors, including black, yellow, red, green, blue, pink, and gold. Each color symbolizes a different message which is mentioned below:
- White Maneki Neko attracts pureness and optimism.
- Black Maneki Neko offers protection from evil.
- Golf Maneki Neko attracts money and wealth.
- Red Maneki Neko is used for fortune in love life.
- Green Maneki Neko attracts prosperity in education and health.
- Blue Maneki Neko is believed to enhance wisdom and success.
- Pink Maneki Neko is for matters related to romance and love.
- Yellow Maneki Neko is owned by those seeking stability in relationships.
The Journey of Maneki Neko from Japan to All Around the World
Maneki Neko is not only famous in Japan anymore; it has gained popularity all across the world. It is seen in various types of pop culture. Nowadays, this cat can be spotted everywhere, from anime to video games and even in literature. The Japanese culture seems to have gained a particular fondness for Maneki Neko. It is especially owned by those who hold a firm belief in superstition as they believe it will bring them good affluence.
The Uses of Maneki Neko
- Career-oriented people who believe in the significance of Maneki Neko own this figurine as they trust it will help them attain success in their business endeavors.
- Business owners who deal in a competitive market daily believe that keeping Maneki Neko with them will boost their sales and attract more customers.
- Maneki Neko also serves the purpose of a great decoration piece for your car windshield, office table, or even the small window at your home.
Finally: Where Did the Maneki Neko Come From?
As already mentioned above, the actual origin of Maneki Neko is yet to be traced, but many believe it first came from Edo, today's Tokyo. The first Maneki Neko was bought from Senso Temple in Edo back in 1852. Several reports claim that in 1876, Maneki Neko was seen being distributed in a memorial in Osaka.
Later, during the early 20th century, the popularity of Maneki Neko rose, and it became famous for bringing good luck and fortune to its owner. Hence, more and more people started buying the figurine making it a popular commercial item.
Today, one can easily purchase the statue of Maneki Neko from various shops in Japan. The Manekineko Museum of Art, located in Okayama, has a collection of more than 700 figurines of Maneki Neko that depict its evolvement over the decades. Even the Lucky Cat Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio, displays hundreds of figures of this lucky cat which tourists come to see from all around the world.