Illustration I made featuring a black Maneki-Neko. If you've never heard of a Maneki-Neko cat, it's a figurine common in Japan that brings good fortune.
They are often depicted with paws raised. The left paw raised attracts customers and people, while the right paw invites wealth. Both paws raised will attract both!
The most popular style of lucky cat seen today is often shown with gold coins, but they did not start that way. Originally they had a bell on the collar that was later replaced by the coin.
Maneki Neko colors have different meanings. The black Maneki Neko is a protector, he wards off evil spirits and negative energy.
Black Maneki Neko figures became popular among women to keep away stalkers and unsavory suitors. In Feng Shui, placing a black Maneki Neko in the southwest corner of the home is believed to protect the women of the household.
I imagined a Maneki Neko that protects against evil would have a ferocious look to him. Although I did intend to make him fully black in the beginning I decided to go for a tuxedo cat look. White Maneki Neko brings happiness and positive energy, so maybe he can be a well rounded protector!