maneki-neko
Lucky waving cat
A maneki-neko is a Japanese figurine of a cat with one paw raised in a beckoning gesture, displayed in shops and homes as a good-luck charm.
The raised paw appears to wave customers or fortune inward.
These ceramic or plastic cats are ubiquitous in Asian businesses and increasingly common elsewhere: The restaurant had a maneki-neko by the register.
Chance affecting outcomes
- charmAttractive personal quality
- amuletWorn protective token
- protectionGuarding against harm
- fortuneWealth or destiny
blessing · auspicious · prosperity · superstition · omen · warding · beckoning · ritual
Small furry housepet
- pawAnimal's clawed foot
- whiskersFacial sensory hairs
- kittenJuvenile domestic feline
- calicoPatchy-coated cat type
tricolor · ears · sitting · collar · bell · bib · eyes · tail
Abundance of valuable resources
- prosperityGood fortune, success
- moneyCurrency for transactions
- goldElement seventy-nine
- coinStamped metal currency
abundance · success · business · luck · customers · profit · blessing · windfall
Oscillating motion through medium
- gestureCommunicative body movement
- inviteRequest attendance
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- greetingExpression of welcome
motion · summon · attract · customers · visitors · signal · entrance · doorway
Fired clay objects
- porcelainTranslucent fired clay
- glazeThin lustrous coating
- kilnOven for hardening clay
- figurineSmall ornamental sculpture
earthenware · handcrafted · artisan · painted · collectible · decorative · ornament · statuette
luck
Chance affecting outcomes
- charmAttractive personal quality
- amuletWorn protective token
- protectionGuarding against harm
fortune · blessing · auspicious · prosperity · superstition · omen · warding · beckoning · ritual · belief
cat
Small furry housepet
calico · tricolor · ears · sitting · collar · bell · bib · eyes · tail · pet
wealth
Abundance of valuable resources
- prosperityGood fortune, success
- moneyCurrency for transactions
- goldElement seventy-nine
coin · abundance · success · business · luck · customers · profit · blessing · windfall · riches
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
greeting · motion · summon · attract · customers · visitors · signal · entrance · doorway · storefront
pottery
Fired clay objects
figurine · earthenware · handcrafted · artisan · painted · collectible · decorative · ornament · statuette · bisque
Japan
East Asian archipelago nation
maneki-nekofour-leaf clover
Rare fortunate plant variant
horseshoe · rabbit's foot · lucky penny · dreamcatcher · hamsa hand