ManekiNeko

The maneki neko, or beckoning cat, is popular in both Japan and China. There are many legends surrounding this colorful kitty, though the first records that definitely refer to maneki neko only appear in 1852. They are said to attract good luck (calico), wealth (gold), good health (red), romance (pink) or ward off evil (black) depending on their color. The paw raised also matters, as the left paw is for businesses to attract customers and the right paw is to invite good fortune into the home. Both paws can be raised for both effects.

Related statues can be found in China of a cat washing its face and ears, said to invite customers or signaling rain when they do so. They date back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386 to 534 CE) and look rather different from the modern maneki neko, but may well be the original inspiration.

The most popular legend of the maneki neko is of the Gotoku temple, where a poor monk lived in a small temple in Tokyo during the 17th century. Even though he had nothing, he always shared his meals with his pet cat Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota Ii of the Hikone district was off hunting when a storm kicked up. He sought shelter under a tree near the temple, but Tama beckoned him with a paw. No sooner than he left, a massive lightning bolt incinerated the tree where he stood! Nakaota, grateful to the cat and temple for saving his life, became the patron of the temple and repaired and expanded it. When Tama died, he was buried in a special cemetery for cats. The temple now houses a maneki neko statue in remembrance of that special cat.

A second Tama is the legendary Station Master Cat. May she rest in kitty heaven for her great service.

Born on the super palindrome day!

poi/tox/vein
sli/slu/vein
met/alloy/vein
met/alloy/rune
met/alloy/pea
met/alloy/cap
koi also looks good