Well, it’s 2025, and we hope all your pets and their owners had a safe and wonderful holiday season.
Pretty soon, on Jan. 29, some of us will be celebrating the Lunar New Year, which this time will be The Year of the Snake. As with most traditions, we wish everyone good luck, good health and good fortune.
Since it never hurts to get all the help we can, we would like to pass on a couple of pet statues to help achieve these goals.
Maneki Neko: Every home should have at least one of these.
One of the most popular animal symbols in the world is the Maneki Neko, or “Beckoning Cat."
You will find this one raised paw cat statue in restaurants, businesses and homes throughout Japan, the United States and parts of the rest of the world.
The cat, typically a Japanese bobtail, is sitting with its paw raised in a beckoning gesture, waving good fortune for its owners.
The first origin of the story dates back to 1852, during the Edo period, when a Daimyo, or regional ruler, was caught in a storm while on a hunting trip.
While taking refuge under a tree, he saw a cat beckon him into a temple. No sooner than leaving for the safety of the temple, the tree was struck by lightning.
Forever grateful for saving his life, the Daimyo enshrined the cat and became a patron of the temple, which is still standing in Tokyo today.
While Maneki Nekos are commonly known for bringing in good luck and fortune, there are specific colors and meanings attached to different types of Nekos and the benefits they bring.
The placement of the cat can also influence the luck and/or benefits they can bring to their owner. The cat loves people so it should be placed where it can see and be around people.
This is why you will most often see them at the entrance to a business or home or in the living room of a home.
The most common types of Maneki Neko colors are:
Calico Maneki Neko for luck. The original Nekos were either calico or white, and are usually the most common with calico considered the luckiest.
White Neko is extremely common and represents happiness and purity, while bringing general overall good luck.
Black Neko for warding off evil spirits and for the safety of your home, and should be placed at the entrance to your house because they refuse to be influenced by evil.
Red Neko for health and longevity, and should be placed near the entrance to prevent illness from entering and maintaining health.
Gold Neko represents financial luck and success in business and fortune to its owner. Not unexpected, it is a very popular color but what is unexpected is while the cat is Japanese in origin, the rules of Feng Shui dictate that your gold Neko be placed on the west side of your home for best results.
Blue Neko represents intelligence and hopefully calm decision making for students pursuing their academic goals.
Pink Neko is considered the best for finding and maintaining a romantic relationship.
And finally, a Green Neko is for the peace of mind and safety of you and your loved ones.
Now, on to the paws:
Left Hand raised, a female cat, is meant to attract people and relationships. This is why you see so many businesses with them, as to keep good customers
Right Hand raised, a male cat, signifies attracting money, success and financial fortune.
Both Hands raised, the rarest Neko of all, represents attracting both money and good relationships.
Most Maneki Neko are wearing or holding onto something, and their meaning can change depending on what it is.
Coins: Most Nekos are holding a coin, or Koban, symbolizing wealth and fortune. Some Koban symbolized 10 million Ryo (or $30K in today’s dollars), which was a heck of a lot of money back then.
Collars with bells were an early form of microchipping for the wealthy in the Edo period.
Bibs indicating protection similar to temple statues, fish for strength and vigor, gems for wisdom, fans for luck in business or drums for an abundance of customers, sake barrels for warding off evil and (Thom’s favorite) Daikon radish symbolizing wealth and good luck (plus very tasty!)
Thought there was just one kind didn’t you.
Tanuki: Every home or garden should have one.
Not to be confused with the real live animal, Tanuki have been part of Japanese folklore since ancient times.
According to their mythology, there are only two animals with natural magical powers, the Kitsune (fox) and the Tanuki (raccoon dog).
While both would change into human form to cause trouble, it was the fox who was considered more intelligent and, thereby, more malicious or benevolent.
The Tanuki, in modern times, has become a humorous character and is very popular in stories, movies and even video games, and is often a stuffed toy or statue in homes.
For years their statues could be found in front of restaurants and taverns all over Japan, but now you can find them as front yard decorations and good luck charms for bringing in prosperity.
Statues of Tanuki are thought to have special traits that bring good fortune. Some are: (1) a bamboo or turtle shell rice paddy hat that protects itself from trouble, (2) bi eyes to make good decisions, (3) a sake bottle representing virtue, (4) a promissory note that represents trust, (5) a big tail for stability, (6) a big belly representing decision making, (7) oversized testicles that symbolize money, gold and financial luck and (8) a big, friendly smile.
The real Tanuki is often mistaken for a raccoon or badger, but is actually a member of the dog family that resembles our North American raccoon.
Commonly called a “raccoon dog” in English, it is easily differentiated by not having the raccoon’s tail rings and because it walks on its toes.
The Tanuki is native to Japan, Manchuria and the southeastern part of Siberia. Because of the remoteness of the area long ago, this probably added to the mystics and legends of these beautiful animals.
Unfortunately, as cute as they are, it is illegal to have one in the United States as a pet.
Even if you do not believe in this kind of thing, these statues are fun and cute to have around your home or garden.
Paws For Thoughts: “I am I because my little dog knows me” - Gertrude Stein
Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish and Thom are residents of Tumwater. Contact them at pets@theJOLTnews.com.
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Scndbseman27
I wish those Tanuki lived here in the States too, they are adorable. Thank you for the wonderful article and teaching us about these Japanese statues. I've seen them before but I had no idea the meaning behind each one.
Friday, January 10 Report this