The Maneki Neko cat, also known as the welcoming cat or the cat that brings good luck, is a Japanese figurine believed to bring good fortune to its owner.

The cat typically raises its paw and gestures for people to come inside, holding an ancient Japanese coin, the Koban. The lucky Maneki Neko cat wears a necklace with a bell, which is believed to ward off evil spirits.

The word Maneki comes from the verb 'maneku' which means in Japanese 'to invite someone in' or 'to greet'. Neko means 'cat'. Together they mean 'the cat that invites people in'. According to Japanese tradition, the message conveyed by this cat with its paw is: 'Please come in. You are welcome.'