THE MEANING OF MANEKI NEKO TATTOO (THE CAT CALL MONEY)

In Japan, businessmen are often very superstitious. They usually put some amulet things in front or rear of the shop to expect many clients come to their shops and for the advantageous of business. The most common amulets in Japanese shops are the maneki neko statue of "cat invited guests".

One of the reasons for choosing cats as the "lucky charms" is its big round eyes and a plump, lovely face which are easily attracting guests.

At first glance, maneki neko looks like a cat is waving its hand to invite guests. But in fact, that’s a gesture of a cat is cleaning its face. Cats are species which are sensitive to any changes, even the smallest of the weather. So when it’s nearly rain, cats often take their front leg up to rub the face.

Because of this sharp sense, cats also easy to feel restless and excited when realize that there is someone approaching. Every time like that, they often wander around or put their feet up rubbing the face to reduce the feeling of restless and anxious. From this, people thought that every time when cat put its feet up to rub the face, that means there will a guest coming. From this concept, together with the image of a cat rubbing eyes which looks like waving guests, the Japanese believed that if putting maneki neko in front of the shop, the guest will come crowded.

There’re 2 kinds of maneki neko as follows: cat waving right leg and cat waiving left leg. The kind of right leg waiving will bring lucky and money while the left leg waiving will bring more customers. If a cat raised its legs higher, that means the customer, money and lucky will come to shop more.

About the colour, maneki neko can have many colors, but most commonly in tricoloured cats. According to the study of genetics, there’s a few ratio of tricoloured male cat. So the tricoloured cats are considered as a symbol of bringing lucky, especially for those who are sailors. Besides, there are white maneki neko (purity indicated), black maneki neko (demons expelled), yellow (manifestation of money) and red (expression of hospitality and love).

There’s a small wire with a bell on each neck of maneki neko. This is from the Edo period (1603 - 1868), because at that time, cat is a quite expensive pet. The noblewomen usually wear the ring on their own cat to keep it from running away.

The image of maneki neko has been tattooed funny and colourful in Japan and many places in the world by tattoo artists. With the meaning of bringing lucky and prosperity, so this is a favourite image of all the people around the world.