Wikipedia - The Maneki Neko "Beckoning Cat"; also known as Welcoming Cat, Lucky Cat, Cat Swipe, Money cat, or Fortune Cat; is a common Japanese sculpture which is believed to bring good luck to the owner. The sculpture depicts a cat beckoning with an upright paw, and is usually displayed—many times at the entrance—in shops, restaurants, pachinko parlours, and other businesses. In the design of the sculptures, a raised left paw supposedly attracts money, while a raised right paw protects it.