?? Maneki-Neko

You've probably seen this lucky cat before. This calico Bobtail cat is known as Maneki-Neko, or 'Beckoning cat'. It's a common Japanese figurine believed to bring good luck to the owner. They're commonly displayed in restaurants, shops, hotels, laundromats, and other places of commerce. There's debate whether it originated in Tokyo or Kyoto, but it was sometime during the late 1800's.

There's a lot of folklore around the origin story of Maneki-Neko. According to one, an impoverished show owner took in a stray, starving cat despite having very little to share. As a form of gratitude, the cat sat at the front of the shop beckoning customers, bringing prosperity to the shop owner.

A raised left or right paw actually has different meanings. A raised left paw is to get more customers, while a right paw is to get more money.