Surely we have all seen the Maneki Neko , literally translated as the lucky cat, it is not necessary to go to its origins in China or Japan to see it, right here, in many oriental establishments we can see them located near the local cash register.Only that, many are also adopting it for the decoration of their own homes.
Well, in this article of Animals and Pets Online we will offer you more information about the story of the lucky Chinese cat, Maneki Neko What should you know to keep in mind its meaning and the purpose of its possession.Does its leg move incessantly by some demonic covenant or carries batteries? What does it mean to be golden? Keep reading to find out.
What is its origin, Chinese or Japanese?
This is a point that supposes a strong dispute between both traditions, the Chinese and the Japanese, which dispute the authorship of their origin.However, we can affirm that although the Chinese could also justify that it comes from its ancestral culture and we know it as "Chinese lucky cat" The real lucky cat has its origin in Japan .In fact Maneki Neko in Japanese means Lucky Cat or Cat that attracts , in China it would be known as Zhaocai Mao.
It is normally associated with Chinese culture by a traditional Chinese proverb that says the following: "When a cat rubs its face to the ears means it will rain ".
Two are the traditional Japanese folk tales that tell the story of the origin of the Maneki Neko:
- In the first of them we are told the story of a man of money who took the unsuspecting storm and sought refuge under a tree that was just at side of a temple.It was then that at the door of the temple he saw what seemed a cat calling him with the paw, inviting him to enter the temple , he did so following the advice of the feline.
When he left Elarbol, a ray fell from the sky, splitting the strong wood in half.The man, interpreting that the cat had saved his life, became a benefactor of that temple, bringing great prosperity.When the cat died, the man ordered that a statue be made to him that would be known after the passing of the years as Maneki Neko.
- The other tells a slightly more sinister story, one in which a geisha had a cat that was his most precious treasure .When he went to dress one day with his kimono the cat threw himself nailing the ones in the cloth.Seeing this, the owner of the geisha thought that the cat was possessed and attacked the young woman and with a rapid movement took out her sword and cut off the cat's head.The head fell on a snake that He was about to attack the geisha and save the girl's life.
She is so hurt and disturbed by losing her cat, her savior, that one of her clients, sorry, gave her a statuette of the cat to treat of comforting her.
Then it's funny that we call her the story of the lucky Chinese cat, isn't it?
Maneki Neko symbolism
Currently, the figures of Maneki Neko are used by both Orientals and Westerners to attract fortune and good luck, both to houses and businesses.You may see different models of lucky cat, so Depending on the leg they have raised, it will have one or another meaning:
- To attract money and fortune, those who have the right leg raised .
- To attract good visits and guests, those with the left leg lifted .
- In rare cases you will see them with both legs lifted, what they are looking for is to bring protection to the where they are.
The color is also an important nuance in the symbology of Maneki Neko, although we are used to seeing them in gold or white, there are many other colors:
- Those of gold or silver are those used to seek to bring fortune to a business.
- The white lucky cat with details oranges and blacks is the traditional and original, which is situated to offer luck to travelers on their way.It also attracts good things for its owner.
- The red one seeks to attract love and drive away evil spirits.
- Green seeks that the closest people enjoy health.
- Yellow serves to improve your personal economy.
- The one who will help you fulfill all your dreams is blue.
- Black is a shield against bad luck.
- Rosa will help you find the right partner for you.
So seen we will have to get a legion of lucky Chinese cats of all colors to enjoy all the benefits and protections they offer.
In addition to the colors, these cats can carry objects or accessories , and depending on what they carry their meaning will also vary slightly.For example, if you see them with a golden mallet in the claw, it is a mallet of money, and what you do when you shake it is try to attract it.With a Koban (mo Japanese luck neda) seeks to attract even more good luck.If it bites a carp, it aims to attract abundance and good luck.
Fun facts
It is very common that in China or Japan cats roam freely in the streets and shops, it is a very appreciated animal, it may be because of this tradition.Plastic or metal work, what can't one really get?
It also means a widespread belief in the East, thinking that cats are able to see some "things" that people can't even imagine That is why many have a cat, because they have the firm conviction that they are able to see and chase away evil spirits.I illustrate it with another legend.
"They say that a demon came to take away the soul of one person, but this one had a cat, who saw the demon he asked about his intentions.The cat did not object to the soul of the human who dwelt in his home, however, to let the demon pass he dared to tell each and every one of the hairs in his tail.
Neither short nor lazy, he began to count but when he was close to Finish the cat shook its tail.The demon got angry but started again with the first hair, although again the cat shook its tail again.After several attempts he gave up and left, with what the cat wanted or not He had saved his master's soul."
Finally, you should know that the gesture of the movement of the leg of Maneki Neko is not about saying goodbye, but of welcome you and invite you to pass .
If you want to read more articles similar to History of the lucky Chinese cat-Maneki Neko , we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.
Comments
Post a Comment