What are Maneki Nekos?

Maneki Nekos are beckoning cat figurines that are displayed to bring good luck - or ward off bad luck.  They always have one paw raised
and are generally placed in the home or in a store, to invite people or luck.  They traditionally wear a red collar with a golden bell.

The color of a Maneki Neko is supposedly symbolic of its purpose:

Tri-colored (calico) = The most popular, generally considered the luckiest
White = Invites purity and good luck
Black = Wards off evil or bad luck
Red = Invites good health
Pink = Invites love
Gold = Attracts wealth

There are legends about the origins of these lucky Japanese cat figurines that date as far back as the 17th century, in the Edo Period in
Tokyo.   For more information, I invite you to research them online or at the library and read about these adorable critters, with their sweet
faces and noble intentions.
How can you not fall in love with them?
CLICK ME to play a kitty game!
I began collecting Maneki Nekos several decades ago.  I have plaques, wall hangings, key chains, and a display case full of them.  Some
are plastic, some are ceramic; Some were cheap, others were pricey - but they're all just cute as little bugs and never fail to lift my spirits
when I feel the need to look at a perpetually cute inanimate object staring tirelessly at me.

Then, on a whim, I started painting them, but with slightly non-traditional symbolism and colors.
First, I painted one on a mirror that I got as free scrap from a frame shop.  Then, I painted one as a wall mural in my parents' house.  
Following that, I painted a festive Maneki Neko holding a piece of cake and sitting on lotus petals for my kid's 2nd birthday party
invitation.  Then, I started painting little ones on 5x7 canvases...wheee!  Some I kept, some I sold, and others were given as gifts.

Meow!
I painted this colorful Maneki Neko for the invitations to my daughter's birthday party.
Click to enlarge this smart and well-prepared Maneki Neko, who now resides in California with my good friend Lisa of www.mylittlechicken.com.
Click to enlarge this happy Maneki Neko, painted for twin baby girls Ellington and Daley!
Click to enlarge sweet Janine!
I'm originally from the Great State of Texas, so I decided to pay tribute - in cat form, obviously.
Copyright 2002-2021 and beyond, by Rachelle Rose.
Written permission must be obtained from Rachelle Rose before storing, copying, or reproducing any of the content on this page.
Click to enlarge the Cordon Bleu Kitty, made for Chef Marc in Los Angeles.
Birthday
Maneki Neko
Brainy
Maneki Neko
Texas
Maneki Neko
Baby Girl
Maneki Neko
Janine
Maneki Neko
Cordon Bleu
Maneki Neko
Click to enlarge my punk Meneki Neko, inspired by the Sex Pistols.  I mean it, maaaaaaaan
Click to enlarge my Tiny Tim Maneki Neko, with his ukulele and tulips!
Punk
Maneki Neko
Tiny Tim
Maneki Neko
Go home.
Incense and Peppermints, the color of time...(Don't we all need more time?)
Time Cat
Maneki Neko
In my sushivision world, the sky is made of gari and wasabi.  This maneki neko invites good sushi juju.
Sushi
Maneki Neko
Thanks, Va Voom! ;)
My lovely and talented friend Lisa, from the former site
mylittlechicken.com, made this cute little kitty for me.  Thanks,
Lisa!
Click to enlarge Kabuki Kitty, who was suggested to me by my good friend W.White.  Thanks, Captain Quiltastic!  :)  I kinda thinks she looks like the result of a cat mating with Gene Simmons from KISS.  But she IS wearing a traditional Kabuki costume.
Kabuki
Maneki Neko
The moon and stars on this one actually glow in the dark!  Wooooooo!
Halloween
Maneki Neko
Oranges!
Orange
Maneki Neko
An adopted maneki neko
an adopted maneki neko
an adopted maneki neko
The Maneki Neko clique
This Neko's got his heart in Oakland.
Happy Travels
Maneki Neko
East meets West.  This star spangled kitty was a specialty commission from a Maneki Neko collector.
American Flag
Maneki Neko
Photography
Maneki Neko
This Maneki Neko brings you good luck with photography, especially if you're a Lomographer  :)
3-inch watercolor
Maneki Neko with
Fish
Maneki Neko Children's T-shirt
Child's T-shirt
This cool guy knows his Maneki Nekos, and is quite the collector!
Usually, I create things for friends and loved ones.
Sometimes I  keep my creations for myself.  Sometimes I sell them.
If you're curious to see if I've got anything for sale or what I'm creating lately,
click the buttons below.
Instagram or Facebook.
Toddler tee
Toddler T-shirt
Kabuki and Kabinky T-shirts
Kabuki and Kabinky
custom T-shirts
Maneki Neko on a Purple Pillow
Maneki Neko
on Purple PIllow
I love these kitties so much, that I now have a permanent one to keep me company.
Addition to my permanent collection: A self-designed Maneki Neko tattoo.
A maneki neko switchplate cover that I constructed with duct tape!
Maneki Neko
switchplate cover:
Made with DUCT
TAPE!
Wishing you the very best luck!