Lucky Cat Silver Earrings for Prosperity
- Maneki Neko Raised Paw Beckoning Cat Charms -
These sweet dangly little earrings feature maneki neko cat charms, carnelian gemstones, yellow Czech glass heishi, teke heishi spacers, and stering silver earring hooks. "Maneki neko" is Japanese for "beckoning cat," and refers to a legendary cat of luck and fortune, whose image is also considered a talisman. The origins tales of the maneki neko can differ greatly, but the luck is unvarying whatever story you find most appealing. The charms used here are lead-free silver-on-pewter beauties from TierraCast, nicely detailed and made in the USA.
The carnelian gemstone beads are rondelle in shape and bring an earthy warmth to this special pair. They are complemented by the Czech glass heishi, which are a lustrous light yellow. The teke heishi spacers are from TierraCast and, like the neko charms, are made in the USA. The length of the earrings is about 1.75 inches, including the sterling silver hooks. To give them a touch of boho chic elegance, I added small (4mm) faceted carnelian beads to the front wires.
Meaningful, cute, and sure to please anyone who loves cats, these maneki neko good luck earrings were handmade by me with care, thought, and best wishes for their destined wearer. They come on a PrettyGonzo earrings card and wrapped in a nice organza bag, all set for giving to a cat lover in need of a happy lift—and a good luck charm too. Perhaps that cat lover will be you!
ABOUT THE MANEKI NEKO
Originating in Japan during the Edo Period (17th to 19th century), figurines of the maneki neko ("beckoning cat") are a common sight near cash registers in Chinese and Japanese shops and restaurants. The cat is meant to attract customers and bestow good luck on the business owners and the customers alike. Made of ceramic, the maneki neko's fur is usually painted white, with black and orange used for its eyes and red used for its ears, nose, and collar. Gold paint brings a shine to the bell on the cat's collar. The fortune cat often holds a gold-colored coin, known as a ryo, which is identified by black-painted kanji. Sometimes the cats hold a fish, gemstone, or other attractive object. Colors for the maneki neko can vary too, with hues such as black for talismanic protections and green for good health.
This popular lucky charm also shows up on cups, keychains, bowls, shirts, pins, badges, and the like. There are many source legends about the beckoning cat. One favorite story is about a rich man who, caught in a bad rainstorm, took shelter under a tree. At the portal of a nearby temple, a cat appeared and seemed to beckon him to enter the sacred place. As the man made a run for it, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the tree. To show his gratitude to the cat, the man became a patron of the temple, thus improving its fortune considerably. After he died, figurines of the maneki neko were made to show respect for the man and to memorialize his life, which so luckily had been saved by a cat.
ABOUT CARNELIAN
A rich and regal-looking gemstone, carnelian has been used for jewelry since ancient times. According to tradition, carnelian is a healing stone that facilitates courage and confidence building, increased creativity, and mental clarity and focus. Carnelian is also regarded as protection against evil. It is linked to August as a birthstone and to the astrological sign of Virgo, and it is associated with the sacral chakra.
To see more PrettyGonzo jewelry, please visit my Etsy shop using the link below.
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Meaningful, cute, and sure to please anyone who loves cats, these maneki neko good luck earrings were handmade by me with care, thought, and best wishes for their destined wearer. They come on a PrettyGonzo earrings card and wrapped in a nice organza bag, all set for giving to a cat lover in need of a happy lift—and a good luck charm too. Perhaps that cat lover will be you!
ABOUT THE MANEKI NEKO
Originating in Japan during the Edo Period (17th to 19th century), figurines of the maneki neko ("beckoning cat") are a common sight near cash registers in Chinese and Japanese shops and restaurants. The cat is meant to attract customers and bestow good luck on the business owners and the customers alike. Made of ceramic, the maneki neko's fur is usually painted white, with black and orange used for its eyes and red used for its ears, nose, and collar. Gold paint brings a shine to the bell on the cat's collar. The fortune cat often holds a gold-colored coin, known as a ryo, which is identified by black-painted kanji. Sometimes the cats hold a fish, gemstone, or other attractive object. Colors for the maneki neko can vary too, with hues such as black for talismanic protections and green for good health.
This popular lucky charm also shows up on cups, keychains, bowls, shirts, pins, badges, and the like. There are many source legends about the beckoning cat. One favorite story is about a rich man who, caught in a bad rainstorm, took shelter under a tree. At the portal of a nearby temple, a cat appeared and seemed to beckon him to enter the sacred place. As the man made a run for it, a bolt of lightning suddenly struck the tree. To show his gratitude to the cat, the man became a patron of the temple, thus improving its fortune considerably. After he died, figurines of the maneki neko were made to show respect for the man and to memorialize his life, which so luckily had been saved by a cat.
ABOUT CARNELIAN
A rich and regal-looking gemstone, carnelian has been used for jewelry since ancient times. According to tradition, carnelian is a healing stone that facilitates courage and confidence building, increased creativity, and mental clarity and focus. Carnelian is also regarded as protection against evil. It is linked to August as a birthstone and to the astrological sign of Virgo, and it is associated with the sacral chakra.
To see more PrettyGonzo jewelry, please visit my Etsy shop using the link below.
• ETSY • TWITTER • PINTEREST
What a fun pai of good luck kitty earrings. They make me smile! Treats to the Bestest Gonzo Kitty from the Bestest Moose Dog!
ReplyDeleteshared these fun lucky kitty earrings around the internet. Lots of treats to Le Gonze as he lounges about this 4th.
ReplyDeleteLove these adorable cat earrings! Everyone wants to have good luck so wearing these maneki neko earrings should help do the trick.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everybody! I really love the maneki neko figure and the whole idea of it. These earrings would be in my personal jewelry stash right now if the charms weren't a little to weighty for my really sensitive no-lobe ears. I'll have to get more kitties and make a stretch bracelet pour moi.
ReplyDeleteTreats to fabulous furpals from fab Gonze, who is sleeping away and no doubt dreaming of green jungles and treat-searching adventures. xoxo
These are the cutest little kitty cat dangle earrings!
ReplyDelete