Traditional name of fortune beckoning cat is...
Dear Saveta-I understand that in addition to being a professional Psychic you also have a background teaching about Feng Shui and offering Feng Shui consultations for clients.
My question to you is have you ever heard of a fortune-beckoning cat. A colleague returned from Japan with a beautiful gift of a golden colored cat. Its features are vivid, and it is holding one paw straight up.
It has a large bell around its neck and a distinctive oriental looking symbol painted in black on its stomach.
My friend was told it brings good luck but did not know much beyond that. I love it and would like you to shed more light on the significance of this golden cat. Thanks
C.E Kingston.
Dear C.E. – Your friend brought you a Maneki Neko or fortune beckoning cat. Its roots come from the Japanese people's belief that cats possess magical properties and powers and can draw money and other good fortune to a business or home. There are number of legends about the origins of Maneki Neko, one of the most popular comes down the generations from the EDO period in the 17th century.
A poor temple priest had a pet cat called Tama. Frequently the priest spoke aloud to the cat about how meager the temple resources were but even with the frequent complaints he fed and sheltered the cat as best he could. One day a powerful Lord of Kikone District was returning from a hunting trip and was caught in a sudden heavy downpour. He sought shelter under a giant tree just outside the poor temple.
While waiting for the storm to subside he noticed a cat seeming to try to get his attention and to encourage him to move towards the gate to the temple. As soon as the great Lord walked toward the cat the tree under which he had been waiting, was struck by a horrific lightning bolt that split the massive tree in two. The lord was incredibly grateful for the little cat’s actions that saved his life.
Shortly following this incident, the Lord decreed that the temple was to become his family shrine, and as part of his gratitude, had it restored. He changed the temple's name to Goutokuji and the temple benefited for years from the ongoing support. When Tama finally died he was buried with great ceremony at Goutokujis cat Cemetery. Maneki Keno was the term coined in his honor.
Throughout Asia the Maneki Neko is one of the most famous lucky charms for good fortune. The Maneki Neko has either paw raised. The left paw beckons business customers and in the home, it beckons pleasant visitors. The right paw raised is believed to draw money fortune. Fortune beckoning cats come in many colors, pink, gold, white, yellow, and black. There are many artisans throughout Japan specializing only in the production of Maneki Neko's. The most popular are tri colored. White cats are also popular because they represent purity. Black Maneki Neko are said to act as talismans against aggressive and violent people. The gold or yellow-colored varieties are deemed to attract money and pink draws love and successful relationships. Red Maneki Neko are said to drive away evil and illness energies. The various inscriptions on the cats are to draw success and achievements in the varied aspects of life.
The Maneki Neko are most effective when used with the right direction of heart. Do you wish for love but set standards Jesus Christ's brother could not match; do you wish for business success but carry a chip on your shoulder from a past negative business relation? I trust you get my drift! Lead with a sincere and open heart and you will only benefit from the positives associated with the Maneki Neko cat.
