Daruma: The Japanese Doll That Refuses to Fall (Meaning, Colors & Ritual)
- DAI YOKAI
- Feb 14
- 12 min read
A red face. No arms. No legs. White eyes that stare at you with fierce determination. If you've ever set foot in Japan—or even in a Japanese restaurant—you've undoubtedly seen one. The Daruma doll (だるま) is perhaps the most stubborn good luck charm in the world. Push it: it gets back up. Knock it over: it returns. That's its job.
The Daruma (だるま) is a traditional Japanese papier-mâché figurine, round and limbless, representing the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. A symbol of perseverance and good fortune, it is used as a lucky charm to make a wish: the left eye is painted while focusing on a goal, then the right eye when it is achieved. Origin: Shōrinzan Daruma-ji Temple, Takasaki (Gunma Prefecture), 17th century.
In my Dai Yokai workshop, I make masks of demons , foxes , and thunder gods . Expressive faces, full of emotion. But the Daruma doll is something else entirely.
It's an expressionless face that forces you to act . It doesn't protect you. It doesn't bless you. It stares at you. Until you move.
And behind this round, grumpy doll lies the story of a completely mad Indian monk who meditated for so long that his arms and legs fell off.
What is a Daruma? Etymology and Origins
Meaning of the name
Term | Writing | Meaning |
Daruma | だるま / 達磨 | Bodhidharma's Japanese name |
Bodhidharma | बोधिधर्म (Sanskrit) | "He whose nature is awakening" |
Dharma | 法 (hō in Japanese) | Buddhist law, teaching |
Okiagari-kobōshi | 起き上がり小法師 | "Little monk getting up" (roly-poly toy) |
The word "Daruma" is the Japanese pronunciation of "Dharma," the last part of Bodhidharma 's name (Bodaidaruma 菩提達磨 in Japanese). The monk became so iconic in Japan that his name alone now refers to the doll.
Bodhidharma: the monk who lost his limbs
The Daruma story begins with a man, not a doll.
Bodhidharma was a Buddhist monk originally from India (or Persia, according to some sources), who is believed to have lived between the 5th and 6th centuries. He is credited with two immense achievements: the transmission of Chan Buddhism to China (which would become Zen in Japan), and—according to legend—the introduction of martial arts to the Shaolin monastery.
But what interests us is meditation.
Legend has it that Bodhidharma sat facing a wall in a cave at the Shaolin Temple and meditated for nine consecutive years . Without moving. Without sleeping. Without closing his eyes.
As a result, its arms and legs atrophied and fell off . Hence the round, limbless shape of the Daruma doll.
The legend of the cut eyelids
There's worse. According to another version, Bodhidharma fell asleep during his meditation. Furious with himself, he cut off his eyelids and threw them to the ground. Green tea plants grew where they fell—which is why in Japan it's said that tea helps you stay awake.
This is also why the Daruma has big, wide-open eyes without eyelids : it refuses to sleep. It refuses to give up.
The Birth of the Doll: Takasaki, 17th Century
The first creation of Daruma dolls from papier-mâché is attributed to the Shōrinzan Daruma-ji temple in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture (about 1.5 hours north of Tokyo). In the 17th century, the temple's monks created them as protective amulets for the New Year.
In 1783 , a famine struck the region. A priest from the temple taught local farmers how to make Daruma dolls to sell and survive the crisis. The doll became popular. Today, Takasaki produces about 80% of Japan's Daruma dolls —approximately 1.7 million per year.
Anatomy of the Daruma Doll — Every Detail Has Meaning
Nothing is left to chance on a Daruma doll. Every facial feature, every color, every inscription is coded.
Symbolic Anatomy Chart
Element | Description | Hidden symbolism |
Round shape | No arms or legs, weighted base (roly-poly toy) | Resilience — “falls 7 times, gets up 8” (七転び八起き, Nanakorobi Yaoki) |
White eyes | Empty pupils at purchase | A wish not yet made — the journey begins |
Eyebrows | Drawn in the shape of a crane (鶴, tsuru) | Longevity — the crane lives 1,000 years (Japanese proverb) |
Mustache/Beard | Drawn in the shape of tortoise shells (亀, kame) | Immortality — the tortoise lives 10,000 years |
Eyebrows + Beard | Together = Tsuru-Kame symbol | Good fortune and a long life combined |
Harsh expression | A determined, almost angry look | The Ganbaru spirit (頑張る) — never give up |
Red dress | Traditional dominant color | Buddhist monk's robe + protection against diseases |
Kanji on the stomach | Often 福 (fuku), 勝 (shō), 大願成就 | "Happiness," "Victory," "Great wish fulfilled" |
Weighted base | Weight at the bottom → always returns to an upright position | Principle of Okiagari-kobōshi (monk tumbling) |
Hokusai's Great Daruma
In 1817, the printmaker Katsushika Hokusai created a giant Daruma doll, 18 meters high and 11 meters wide (approximately 200 square meters), for the Hongan-ji temple in Nagoya Betsuin. The work was unfortunately destroyed during the bombings of 1945. However, it proves that the Daruma was not merely a popular good luck charm—it was a major subject in Japanese art.
Meaning of the Daruma Colors
The traditional color is red, but today Daruma dolls come in all colors. Each color corresponds to a type of wish.
Complete color chart
Color | Japanese | Meaning | Wish / Use |
Red 🔴 | 赤 (Aka) | Good fortune, luck, prosperity | Universal wish — the most popular |
White ⚪ | 白 (Shiro) | Purity, balance, harmony | Marriage, love, inner peace |
Gold 🟡 | 金 (Kin) | Wealth, fame, financial success | Business, entrepreneurs, investments |
Black ⚫ | 黒 (Kuro) | Protection, prevention of harm | Warding off bad luck, spiritual bodyguard |
Green 🟢 | 緑 (Midori) | Health, vitality, physical fitness | Healing, sport, well-being |
Blue 🔵 | 青 (Ao) | Studies, academic success, career | Exams, diplomas, career progression |
Violet 🟣 | 紫 (Murasaki) | Personal development, spirituality | Meditation, inner growth |
Rose 🩷 | 桃 (Momo) | Love, romance, relationships | Dating, couples, fertility |
Orange 🟠 | 橙 (Daidai) | Safety, child protection | Motherhood, education, family |
Yellow 🌕 | 黄 (Ki) | Protection, safety, caution | Travel, accidents, prevention |
Money 🩶 | 銀 (Gin) | Social status, reputation | Reputation, leadership |
Red: Why is it the default color?
Two main theories coexist. The first: Bodhidharma wore a red Buddhist monk's robe during his nine years of meditation. The second, more pragmatic: in Japan, red was associated with protection against smallpox and childhood illnesses. Red Daruma dolls were placed at the bedside of the sick as healing talismans. The color red has remained.
The Eye Ritual — How to Use a Daruma Doll
This is THE ritual that makes the Daruma unique among all the lucky charms in the world. No prayer. No incense. Just a paintbrush, an eye, and a lens .
The 5 steps of the ritual
Stage | Action | Detail |
1. Choose | Buy or receive a Daruma doll with white eyes. | Choose the color according to your preference (see table above) |
2. Formulate | Set a clear, achievable goal within one year. | Not vague ("to be happy") — concrete ("open my workshop") |
3. Paint the left eye | Using a brush and black sumi ink, draw the pupil of the left eye (viewed from the front = right eye of the Daruma doll) | This gesture = your commitment. The Daruma now "sees" your goal. |
4. Expose | Place it on an altar, a high shelf, or your desk. | He needs to look at you every day — it's a constant visual reminder |
5. Complete | When the goal is achieved, paint the second eye | The Daruma "regains its sight" — wish granted, mission accomplished |
And then what? The Daruma-Kuyo (cremation ceremony)
At the end of the year (or when the wish is fulfilled), the Daruma doll is returned to the temple to be ritually burned during the Daruma-Kuyo (だるま供養). This fire releases the spirit of the wish and thanks the Daruma for its service. Even if the wish has not been fulfilled, the Daruma is burned—it has done its job; failure is part of the process. A new, larger one is purchased, and the cycle begins again.
It's the Daruma cycle: formulate → persevere → complete → burn → start again . Exactly like the roly-poly toy that gets right back up after every fall.
Daruma-ichi — Japan's Daruma Markets
At the beginning of each year, temples organize giant fairs dedicated to the Daruma doll. It's quite a spectacle: thousands of red dolls lined up, monks painting the first eye ( kaigen ), food stalls, and a collective energy of renewal.
Table of the 5 Great Daruma-Ichi
Festival | Place | Date | Special feature |
Nanakusa Taisai | Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple, Takasaki (Gunma) | January 6-7 | The oldest and largest — the “original temple” of the Daruma |
Kawasaki Daishi | Heiken-ji Temple, Kawasaki (Kanagawa) | January 3 | One of the most popular near Tokyo |
Fuji Bishamonten | Myōhō-ji Temple, Fuji (Shizuoka) | February 1-3 | Giant Daruma dolls, traditional market atmosphere |
Jindai-ji Daruma-Ichi | Jindai-ji Temple, Chōfu (Tokyo) | March 3-4 | The most accessible from central Tokyo |
Katsuo-ji | Katsuo-ji Temple, Minoh (Osaka) | All year round | "Temple of Victory" — thousands of votive Daruma dolls displayed on the hillside |
The Daruma in Pop Culture
The Daruma doll has transcended its religious affiliation. It can be found everywhere.
Pop culture painting
Work / Context | Kind | Role / Reference |
Squid Game (Netflix) | Series | The game "1-2-3 Soleil" uses a giant doll inspired by the Daruma doll (the game is literally called "Daruma-san ga koronda" in Japanese) |
Daruma-san ga koronda | Japanese children's game | The Japanese equivalent of "Red Light, Green Light" — players must freeze when the Daruma doll "turns over" |
Takeshi's Castle | TV show | Obstacles in the shape of a giant Daruma |
Animal Crossing | Video game | Collectible decorative item |
Demon Slayer | Manga/Anime | Tumbling aesthetics and perseverance — Tanjirō embodies the Daruma spirit |
Election campaigns | Japanese policy | Candidates paint the left eye of the Daruma doll at the campaign launch, and the right eye if they win. This is a national televised tradition. |
Companies | Japanese business | Startups and established companies buy a Daruma doll to launch a project — it is displayed in the office until the project is successful. |
Irezumi Tattoo | Motif of perseverance — often accompanied by waves (struggle) or cherry blossoms (impermanence) |
Daruma-san ga koronda → Squid Game
For fans of the Netflix series: the deadly game in episode 1 of Squid Game is an extreme version of the Japanese children's game Daruma-san ga koronda (だるまさんが転んだ), literally "The Daruma Has Fallen." One player turns their back, the others advance. When they turn around, everyone must be perfectly still—like a Daruma doll. If you move, you're out. The connection to the doll is clear: stay still, persevere, don't give up.
My Daruma Blood Rage — The Dai Yokai Approach
When I decided to create a Daruma doll at Dai Yokai , I knew I didn't want to make a gentle replica of Takasaki's doll. I wanted to capture the dark side of Bodhidharma—the monk who mutilated his eyelids, who let his limbs rot out of sheer discipline. It's brutal. It's extreme. It's fascinating.
My Daruma Blood Rage is a handcrafted reinterpretation: a Daruma enraged , with visible veins, a blood-red finish, and an organic texture—not the clean, smooth red of traditional papier-mâché. This is the Daruma before it became a cute figurine. This is the monk in his cave, teetering on the edge of madness, his eyes wide open for the past nine years.
Traditional Daruma Table vs. Blood Rage
Criteria | Traditional Daruma (Papier mache) | Daruma Blood Rage (Dai Yokai) |
Material | Paper mache, fragile | High-Strength PETG Polymer |
Weight | Light (hollow) | Lightweight (~120g) but sturdy |
Texture | Smooth, painted flat | Organic, veined, sculptural relief |
Color | Uniform bright red | Blood red gradient, "flesh" effect |
Expression | Severe but stylized | Enraged, almost horrific |
Resistance | Sensitive to water, shocks, and heat | Waterproof, unbreakable, meets convention standards |
Use | Eye ritual, vow, cremation | Wall decoration, art object, conversation piece |
Price | €5–50 (mass market) | See workshop price (handmade in France) |
My opinion as a craftsman — The challenge of red
Red is the most treacherous color in painting. A poorly mixed red either turns out to be "toy plastic" or "dull brick." For Blood Rage, I use a three-layer gradient: a dark burgundy base, an intermediate vermilion red, and highlights of bright red on the prominent areas (eyebrows, nose, cheekbones). Then a very diluted black wash in the recesses to create depth. The goal: to make the Daruma look like it's been burned from the inside out .
Like Bodhidharma after 9 years facing the wall.
Daruma vs Maneki-Neko vs Omamori — Japanese Lucky Charms Compared
Japan is full of talismans. Here's how the Daruma fits in.
Lucky charm comparison chart
Criteria | Darumaだるま | Maneki-Neko招き猫 | Omamoriお守り | Ema絵馬 |
Shape | Round doll without limbs | Cat sitting, paw raised | Embroidered fabric bag | Wood chip |
Origin | Zen Buddhism (Bodhidharma) | Edo period, folk folklore | Shinto / Buddhism | Shinto |
Function | Formulate a wish + perseverance | Attracting customers / wealth | Specific protection (health, exams, love) | Write a wish at the temple |
Ritual | Paint the eyes (left then right) | Place facing the entrance | Wear on oneself or hang | Hang on the temple |
Duration | 1 year (then cremation) | Permanent | 1 year (then return to the temple) | Left at the temple |
Key color | Red (perseverance) | White/tricolour (lucky) or gold (silver) | Variable depending on protection | Natural wood |
Customizable | Yes (kanji, color, size) | Limit | Limited (type of protection) | Yes (written wish) |
Dai Yokai Link | — | — | — |
How to Display a Daruma Doll as Decoration
The Daruma is not just a temple talisman. It is a powerful decorative object — especially in its handcrafted version.
Decor Placement Guide Chart
Investment | Effect | Recommended association |
Office / Home office | Daily reminder of your goals — the Daruma is "watching" you | A single Daruma doll, prominently displayed at eye level. |
Entrance / Genkan | Protection and hospitality — Japanese tradition | Next to an Oni (guardian) mask or a Komainu |
Gaming setup | Dark Japanese atmosphere, reminiscent of Squid Game / Demon Slayer | Daruma Blood Rage + black Kitsune mask + red LED |
Yokai Collection Shelf | The Daruma doll as a "human" piece amidst the demons | |
Japanese-style living room | A sculptural red object against a clean background — immediate visual impact | On light wood, white or black wall, minimalist room |
Gift | Giving someone a Daruma doll = wishing them perseverance | For a project launch, an exam, a personal challenge |
Daruma and Irezumi Tattoo
The Daruma is a classic motif in traditional Japanese tattooing , often underestimated compared to Dragons or Kitsune .
Tattoo associations chart
Association | Meaning | Visual style |
Daruma + Waves | Perseverance in the face of adversity, fighting against the current | Ukiyo-e style, blue/red |
Daruma + Cherry Blossoms | Fleeting beauty + determination — the vow that withstands time | Pink/red, poetic |
Daruma + Flames | Ritual cremation, purification, rebirth | Red/gold, intense |
Daruma + Snake / Dragon | Inner strength, spiritual transformation | Tebori style, complex |
Daruma + Skull | Vanity, memento mori — you can't cheat time | Black/red, dark |
Daruma + Kanji 七転び八起き | "Fall 7 times, get up 8" — the mantra etched into the skin | Calligraphy + Daruma |
Daruma one-eyed (one painted eye) | Current goal — a "living" tattoo until the wish is fulfilled | Minimalist or full color |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a Daruma and what is it used for?
The Daruma (だるま) is a Japanese papier-mâché figurine representing Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. It is a good luck charm used to make a wish: the left eye is painted while focusing on a goal, then the right eye when it is achieved. Its roly-poly shape (weighted base) symbolizes perseverance—it always rights itself when pushed, embodying the proverb Nanakorobi Yaoki ("Fall seven times, stand up eight").
Which Daruma color should I choose?
Each color corresponds to a type of wish. Red is the most common (general luck and fortune). Blue is for studies and career. White is for love and harmony. Black is for protection. Gold is for financial wealth. Green is for health. If you're unsure, red is always a safe choice—it's the original and universal color of the Daruma doll.
Which eye of the Daruma doll should I paint first?
Traditionally, the left eye is painted first (when viewed from the front, it's the eye on your left when you look at the Daruma doll). This eye represents the beginning of the journey, the making of the wish. The second (right) eye is painted upon fulfillment of the goal. Some temples perform the kaigen (eye opening) during a ceremony with a monk.
Why doesn't the Daruma have arms or legs?
According to legend, the monk Bodhidharma meditated facing a wall for nine consecutive years without moving. His complete immobility caused his limbs to atrophy and then disappear. The Daruma doll replicates this round, limbless form to symbolize extreme discipline and absolute determination. The weighted base (like a roly-poly toy) adds a symbol of resilience—no matter how hard it is knocked, the Daruma always gets right back up.
What is the connection between Daruma and Squid Game?
The deadly game in episode 1 of Squid Game is based on Daruma-san ga koronda (だるまさんが転んだ), a Japanese children's game similar to "Red Light, Green Light." The name means "The Daruma has fallen over." Players must freeze when the "Daruma" turns over—like the doll that remains motionless and impassive while everything around it moves.
What should you do with a Daruma doll whose wish has not been granted?
It is returned to the temple at the end of the year for the Daruma-Kuyo ceremony (ritual burning). Even if the wish is not fulfilled, the Daruma has served its purpose: it reminded you of your goal for a year. The fire releases the spirit of the wish. A new Daruma is then purchased, often larger than the previous one, and the cycle begins again. Failure is part of the process.
Conclusion — The Daruma won't let you down
The Daruma doll is not a passive object placed on a shelf. It's a visual contract with yourself . Every morning, as you pass by it, its single eye reminds you: "You're not finished yet."
It's this raw energy that I wanted to capture in the Daruma Blood Rage . Not the gentleness of papier-mâché. The rage of the monk who has refused to sleep for 9 years.
If the world of Japanese lucky charms and protectors fascinates you, also explore the power of the Oni mask (demonic guardian), the cunning of the Kitsune (messenger of Inari), or the serenity of Kintsugi (the art of sublimating injuries).
And if you have a goal in mind — a project, a dream, a fight — take a Daruma doll. Paint the left eye. And never take your eyes off it.
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