The Daruma Doll in Japan: Origin and Meaning
Perseverance, that is the meaning of a Daruma doll.
Nestled above house chimneys, on store shelves or in local market stalls, you should without much problem find one when you visit Japan one day.
Usually round in shape and red in color, the Japanese Daruma is a kind of headless body giving the impression of observing us with fierce determination.
If the eyes are left white, this is not an oversight by the craftsmen. This corresponds to a very specific goal that you will discover in this article.
If you already want to learn more, here is a Daruma doll that we have selected especially for you.
Contents :
Meaning of Daruma in Japan: theory #1
Meaning of Daruma in Japan: theory n°2
The different colors of Japanese Daruma
Crispy information and ultimate meaning of Daruma in Japan
Detailed description of the use of the Daruma doll
What to do if your wish doesn't come true?
Testimony of a tourist who attended Daruma Kuyo
Thoughts on this ceremony and the Daruma doll in general
The Daruma of Japan in current culture
Other Japanese lucky figurines
Meaning of Daruma in Japan: theory #1
Daruma dolls are said to be a constant reminder of what the Japanese call the ganbaru spirit.
According to them, life is full of pitfalls, and many difficulties will stand in our way. So it’s inevitable that we stumble from time to time.
Even if life knocks us down, it is up to us to get back up.
We all have within us the power to keep moving, to keep moving forward.
The Daruma doll therefore embodies this Japanese saying: Nanakorobi yaoki. It means “ Fall seven times and get up eight. ”
So it’s about always continuing to work. No matter the fatigue, the circumstances, or even the lack of rewards or motivation, the ganbaru spirit must continue to move us forward.
We will only be able to discern the truth surrounding our goals once they have been achieved, once the person who made a certain wish has made it come true.
This would therefore explain why Daruma dolls have such determined expressions: they never give up.
In fact, they are even designed to automatically right themselves once knocked over.
All of this makes this Japanese lucky charm a metaphor for endurance and self-sacrifice in the face of hardship.
Meaning of Daruma in Japan: theory n°2
As with many other symbols, there may well be a historical figure behind the Daruma doll. The transmission of this lucky charm would then have allowed its history (or even its legend) to continue.
In short, the character in question would be nothing more and nothing less than Bodhidharma (also known as Daruma-Daishi in Japan), a 5th century monk at the base of a branch of Buddhism: Japanese Zen.
But actually, who is this Bodhidharma?
As we have just said, Bodhidharma was a monk, credited with the transmission of Chen Buddhism to China and the establishment of the Japanese Zen school around the 5th and 6th centuries.
In Japan, he is simply known as Daruma…hence the name Daruma doll.
In Buddhist tradition, he is generally described initially as an individual with a barbaric character and recurrent bad humor. All this earned him the nickname “blue-eyed barbarian”.
But that was at the beginning of his life...
You will see: Bodhidharma undertook a spiritual journey which made him change completely.
The legend of Bodhidharma
Unlike other monks of his time, Bodhidharma was an eccentric being to say the least.
Legend has it that he spent 9 years in a state of deep meditation (with his eyes open), looking at the white wall of a cave.
His perseverance in his quest for enlightenment was so powerful that it resulted in the loss of limbs, arms and legs, which simply withered from lack of use.
One day, seeing that he was gradually giving in to sleep, he decided to cut his eyelids, thus preventing himself from sleeping.
Despite a bruised body, Bodhidharma's intrepid spirit remained intact.
Relationship with the Daruma doll
Those who were the first to make a Daruma would therefore have had a model in mind: these famous dolls would be neither more nor less than a representation of Bodhidharma.
In fact, they are only composed of a body without limbs, and their eyes seem to be eternally open.
In addition, the color red would refer to the robe of this legendary Buddhist monk.
All of this leads to one conclusion: the Daruma doll is more than just a toy.
We are talking here about a real lucky charm with roots deeply inscribed in Japanese history.
As a lucky charm, Daruma dolls have everything it takes to work wonders.
Symbolism of the Daruma doll
One thing is certain: the appearance and design of this doll is rich in symbolism.
As is often the case with the Japanese lucky charm, of which you can find some of the most iconic examples here.
If you ever want to make a Daruma, know that there are a few points that are absolutely essential if you want to respect the tradition.
The shape, the color, the eyes, the hair on his face... Each of these elements has a hidden meaning that we will reveal to you.
We've covered a few already, but we'll list them all and review them in more detail.
Its shape
Daruma dolls are generally made of hollow structures with weighted bottoms. This actually ensures that they will always return to their original position. (Remember: they never give up).
This characteristic therefore symbolizes the ability of Daruma dolls to overcome adversity and to recover from the greatest misfortunes.
His color
A red Daruma doll will bring luck and happiness to the home.
This color is the most common due to the doll's association with the red robes of Zen Buddhist monks.
Red is also thought to have been chosen in reference to curing illness, with the color having been strongly associated with measles and smallpox in late Edo period Japan.
However, there are a whole bunch of different colors that all have their own meaning.
We will talk about it later in this article, be patient.
Their eyes
The eyes of a Daruma doll are most often white, at least at the time of sale.
The person receiving the doll will then have to paint the pupil of one eye when they decide which wish they want to associate with their lucky charm.
He will only complete his work once it is completed.
This way, she will remember that she has a goal to achieve every time she sees the doll.
Besides the connection with the story of Bodhidharma that we saw just before, some see another meaning in these “empty” eyes.
For them, this would symbolize the ultimate achievement of Buddhism: achieving the state of enlightenment.
His hair
The Daruma's facial hair is intended to make it resemble animals considered in Asian culture to embody longevity: the turtle and the crane.
The doll's hair is meant to resemble a turtle's shell, while her eyebrows mimic the shape of a crane.
Here is a Japanese proverb which shows us the place of these two animals in Asia: “ The crane lives 1000 years, but the turtle 10,000 ”.
Here are many symbols of longevity that are interesting to say the least.
Where are Daruma dolls made?
Making a Daruma according to the rules of the art is no easy task.
In reality, this completely requires ancestral knowledge that only a few artisans, undoubtedly more talented than the others, can boast of possessing...
The history of Takasaki dolls dates back to the 17th century. Local farmers created the first version of the dolls there as lucky charms to be blessed by monks.
At the time, every farmer's survival depended on the quality of the harvest. In a superstitious culture like that of medieval Japan, all means had to be put on one's side.
For them, making a Daruma was therefore above all intended to guarantee good harvests.
Over the decades, the popularity of this Japanese lucky charm, its meaning and the practices surrounding it have moved from the agricultural world of Takasaki to the rest of the country.
Because they are very old, Daruma dolls are deeply inserted into society.
As long as a company has been in existence for a few decades, it will not be uncommon to see a Daruma doll (sometimes of imposing size) proudly enthroned in the middle of the entrance hall.
Statues therefore, but also drawings, paintings and inevitably figurines, it seems that the Japanese Daruma will never become obsolete.
The different colors of Japanese Daruma
In the markets of Kyoto, Osaka or Sapporo: today's Daruma doll is available in different colors.
The meaning attributed to each of them can vary completely depending on the part of Japan you visit. However, certain colors will always aim more or less the same goal.
Here is a general list showing the main uses of each color.
However, keep in mind that some craftsmen who make these dolls sometimes give them different meanings. In fact, the meaning of Daruma is sometimes very complex.
This list should therefore be considered more as a commonly accepted opinion than as an established fact.
So here it is:
- Red: luck and good fortune
- White: purity
- Yellow or gold: money and fame
- Black: prevention of bad luck
- Orange: academic success
- Blue: studies and professional status
- Green: health and fitness
- Purple: self-improvement and personality
- Rose: love and romance
- Money: social status
- Vanilla: Use when all else fails
Crispy information and ultimate meaning of Daruma in Japan
Also during this period of history, Japanese prostitutes were nicknamed “Daruma”.
Indeed, they too were capable of keeping their customers hopeful, and even making some of their dearest wishes come true…
All jokes aside, your Daruma doll should represent three things to you: your goal, the action you are going to take, and the end result.
Although it depends heavily on luck and a whole bunch of other factors, this Japanese lucky charm somehow pushes us towards success through action.
The message is clear: you have to be proactive in achieving your dreams. Japanese culture promotes determination, even through our statuette.
In short, every Daruma in Japan is a piece of you. It will be up to you to be able to open both eyes. Your Daruma will be, in a way, an extension of your inner sanctuary.
Be the person who makes their wishes and dreams come true.
Thus, the Japanese Daruma will become a mirror that will show what you have always been capable of deep down.
Detailed description of the use of the Daruma doll
In fact, the process of using a Daruma doll is simple :
- You must have in mind a goal, a wish or a promise to achieve.
- Paint just one of his eyes.
- Work every day towards making your wish come true.
- When it is complete, you can then finally paint the other eye
In short, the day my Japanese correspondent first told me about Japanese Daruma, he was full of praise.
Real little hand-painted jewels, these lucky charms, according to him, could make all wishes come true.
So he spoke to me about Japanese Daruma as a century-old tradition which would have motivated millions of people… and which really works!
As a result, I ordered my own Daruma doll and set myself a goal.
Here are the steps to follow once your package arrives:
- Step 1: Decide on a specific goal that you are determined to achieve.
- Step 2: Draw one of the Daruma doll's empty eyes (any one). This symbolizes your commitment to achieving your goal.
- Step 3: Place your doll somewhere visible in your home or office so that you are regularly reminded of your goal. Personally, I put my Japanese Daruma on my work desk.
- Step 4: Once you have achieved your goal, comb the doll's other eye. It's a way of saying "thank you."
- Step 5: Write the goal you achieved on the back of your figurine, and if you want, you can display it proudly to remind you of your achievement!
My hope is that in the near future I will be able to paint my Daruma doll's eye white... which would mean my goal would have been achieved!
What to do if your wish doesn't come true?
According to tradition, if your Japanese Daruma has not fulfilled its task, there are not 10,000 things to do... you have to burn it!
There is even an annual ceremony in the city of Tokyo in which the monks all burn a bunch of lucky dolls in a giant pit.
This event is called Daruma Kuyo and occurs once a year, within the grounds of the Nishi-Arai temple in the northeast of the city.
The spectacle of thousands of dolls on fire is so impressive that many tourists come to see with their own eyes the lucky charms being engulfed in flames.
Anyway, if a year has passed since you purchased your doll, it's official: it's ineffective. You will then have to get rid of it in order to be able to buy a new one.
Most Japanese will tell you that you should take the Daruma doll back to the temple it came from and let the monks take care of it. The small sculpture will then be burned to awaken your determination again.
Symbolically, this also allows you to “draw a definitive line” on the year that has just passed, a year during which your wishes clearly did not come true.
Testimony of a tourist who attended Daruma Kuyo
It was in snowy Japan in a mild February that I traveled to Nishi-Arai to attend a ceremony myself, almost a spectacle, that a friend had told me about: the Daruma Kuyo.
Lost in place among the monks in traditional costume, locals, mostly elderly, and tourists like me who had come to attend the ritual, I found a place on a bench in the second row.
Around 11:14 a.m. (15 minutes before the arrival of the lazy people), a number of monks in red robes slowly enter the temple gardens in a sort of procession, chanting sutras and blowing trumpets made of large shells.
As is the case with all these ceremonies, the crowd remained silent, watching as two monks, arguably the oldest, lit torches from sacred candles.
They then began to set fire to the pit.
The heat released by the flames was intense, the firefighters who came to assist the monks had to constantly water the sides of the immense metal barrier which had been built around the pit.
The monks continued to chant, the sounds of their voices only interspersed with that of the crackling flames and the Daruma dolls exploding in the heat.
Thoughts on this ceremony and the Daruma doll in general
The Japanese are fond of solemn ceremonies. You only have to think of a geisha (with a pulled kimono) or a sumo (who shows on the tatami after a codified prayer) to get an idea. It is the same with Daruma.
Although the festival has a positive connotation of purification, rebirth, and renewal, I personally couldn't help but feel an uneasy feeling watching the dolls' faces burst into flames...especially for those who don't. had only one eye.
The owners of these dolls had clearly not achieved the goals they had set for themselves. To me, it seemed as if their efforts too had gone with the flames.
The Japanese Daruma, however, is clearly a symbol of hope. You should have understood this well if you read the beginning of the article.
And so, as thousands of dolls continued to burn on that cold Saturday afternoon in Tokyo, the ashes left behind arguably symbolized the end of an old chapter and the beginning of a new one.
A video of the Daruma burning!
Here is a short video that shows you what the Daruma Kuyo can look like... in miniature. You can see wooden figurines, characters and toys (in short, Daruma) burned in a big fire.
Unfortunately, I did not film during the ceremony. Imagine a blaze 10 times larger in size!
The Daruma of Japan in current culture
It is not uncommon today to see a Daruma doll decorating a restaurant, a store or a house.
Some are even gigantic and can reach several meters high.
According to some Japanese, the larger the figurine, the more important the wish it can help come true.
In addition, some companies use it to show a kind of power, financial ease.
In fact, if someone can afford to spend several thousand euros on a giant doll statue, they should not hesitate to pay their collaborators the right price.
However, the use of Daruma in Japan is not limited to businesses or a few private households.
This doll has gained, over the centuries, such a privileged place in Japanese culture that it tends to appear in the public sphere.
Politicians, for example, often carry their own dolls with them during interviews and speeches, especially during election time.
More than asking for the fulfillment of a wish, some think that it is a question of showing, through the symbolism linked to this Japanese lucky charm, one's determination and one's commitment to the country and its people.
Other Japanese lucky figurines
There are a whole bunch of traditions in Japanese culture. We are talking here about a very modern country but which has managed to retain a little touch of magic. .. and some rather ancient superstitions.
A bit like the daruma doll, here we are going to look at two types of figurines used by the Japanese for their astonishing powers.
The Maneki Neko, first of all, is a small cat statue believed to bring good luck
Often called "the beckoning cat", this animated figurine beckons to us, almost as if inviting us to enter where it is.
Concretely, Maneki Neko is used in Japan to bring luck and prosperity to businesses where it is located, and happiness in homes.
Originally from northern Japan, kokeshi dolls constitute the second type of lucky figurine that we are going to talk about.
A decorative art object, a kokeshi is made of a simple piece of wood (which corresponds to the body) on which is a ball (thus forming the head). Everything is then painted by hand to represent the features of a fun character.
You should know that kokeshi dolls are closely linked to Shintoism, the traditional spirituality of Japan which would like each element of nature (forest, river, mountain, etc.) to have a soul and a spirit.
In short, it is said in certain villages that have remained faithful to their traditions that these lucky dolls are inhabited by mountain spirits, which gives them certain powers...
Bonus: a tutorial to create your own Daruma
You can of course find Daruma dolls in Buddhist temples in Japan... or on our site! (It’s still a lot simpler than having to take a plane to the end of the world, don’t you think?)
However, it can be fun, especially for little ones, to make your own figurine.
So follow these few instructions and you will quickly have a superb lucky doll:
- Create a ball shape from an easy-to-mold material, such as clay or papier-mâché. (If you opt for papier-mâché, place a few coins at the bottom of your ball to balance it.)
- Then press in one of the faces of your ball. This area will serve as the head of your Daruma doll. Also engrave a small triangle which will correspond to his nose.
- Bake your piece of clay or let the paper mache dry.
- Paint the surface of the face with a flesh color and the body with bright red. Let this paint base dry.
- Paint two big white eyes on the doll's face. (Be careful not to paint pupils on him.)
- Use black paint to create eyebrows, a mustache and decorations on the cheeks and temples.
- Here is another step that is just as artistic and fun: gold, white, green, blue: you can decorate the body of your figurine in the colors you want.
- When you feel ready to make your wish, it will then be time to draw the pupil of the left eye using a black marker
- When the wish has come true, and only then, you can offer him a second ward.
Short conclusion
The Daruma doll is a staple of everyday Japanese culture. Just like manga, Japanese cuisine or the figure of the samurai, Daruma makes young and old alike dream.
However, the interpretation given to it has certainly evolved over time. Some will consider her a quasi-deity with the power to help them succeed in life. For others, Daruma will rather represent a facet of Zen Buddhism, notably the notions of patience, perseverance and sacrifice.
Someone will still see him as a character who is asked for help in the most desperate situations. Japanese society can be harsh, and this kind of support is valuable.
In fact, throughout its history, the Daruma has been both a symbol of the ruling class and a tool used to mock and challenge the establishment. The land of the rising sun experienced a glorious imperial era from which many traditions stem.
In short, while Japan has a very interesting culture and is extremely rich in symbols, good luck charms and traditions, few other images of the country can boast such a mysterious and deeply rooted origin in society.
One thing is certain: the meaning of Daruma deserves our attention.
Lucky charm featured in this article
Daruma Doll from Japan
See more