Posted by John (66.12.27.234) on September 07, 2001 at 17:48:05:
In Reply to: Cat Statue With One Paw Raised Up posted by jo on September 04, 2001 at 19:06:06:
: Can anyone tell me the significance of the cat statue with the one paw raised up as if in salute? I've seen it with either paw raised. In Chinatown I saw that seemingly every store and restaurant had at least one of these statues.
: Thank you.
This is a lucky symbol. The idea started in Japan.
The cat welcomes the money that the customers brought along.
I have seen a few versions of this; one with the phrase
'ten thousand talents of Gold' and another 'welcome
wealth and treasure' on the belly.