Below are two examples of Maneki-neko statues that belong to me and my roommate. These cats are often found in Asian restaurants (I've seen many myself) near the entry way. The golden cat's arm will actually wave if it is pushed. This makes a lot of sense because the name maneki-neko literally means "beckoning cat". These statures are associated with luck in the Asian culture and it is believed that having one will bring the owner good luck. Surprisingly, these cats have caught on big in America. They now come in many colors from white to black to red to gold. They have also been made into key-chains, air fresheners and even piggy banks (like the smaller white cat). To me, I find it very interesting that we take something that is meaningful and lucky and make it into more of a trinket and a symbol of Asian culture.
No comments:
Post a Comment