Fortune Cat

Fortune Cat is known as Maneki Neko in Japanese, which means “beckoning cat.” The cat has its paw raised as if it’s waving in good fortune for its owners.
While you’ll most commonly see a white Maneki Neko with orange and black spots, there are  quite a few color variations and they each have a special meaning.

Calico: Traditional color combination, considered to be the luckiest
White: Happiness, purity, and positive things to come
Gold: Wealth and prosperity
Black: Wards off evil spirits
Red: Success in love and relationships
Green: Good health

Fortune Cat figurines often holding other things in their paws. These include:
A koban worth one ryo: This is a Japanese coin from the Edo period; a ryo was considered to be quite the fortune back then.
The magic money mallet: If you see a small hammer, this represents wealth. When shaken, the mallet is supposed to attract wealth.
A fish, most likely a carp: The fish is symbolic of abundance and good fortune.
A marble or gem: This is another money magnet. Some people believe it’s a crystal ball and represents wisdom.

Fortune Cats can also be found holding gourds, prayer tablets, daikon radishes, and ingots. These items also represent wealth and good luck.
Regardless of the name, legend, raised paw, color, or item in its paw, you basically can’t go wrong with a Fortune Cat perched by your side.