At New Year’s, before exams, when changing jobs, or starting your own
business,
many of us set goals like “This year I will finally achieve
◯◯,” only to lose motivation along the way.
In those moments, one traditional Japanese good luck charm has long been loved as a symbol of “never giving up”: the Daruma doll. Its round shape and intense gaze carry the message:
“Seven times down, eight times up” – no matter how many times you fall, you stand up again.
In this article, we’ll explore:
- The history and origin of Daruma dolls
- The meanings behind their shape, colors, and facial features
- How to use a Daruma doll for goal setting
- How to choose the right Daruma for yourself or as a gift
And at the end, we’ll also introduce the Takasaki Daruma dolls available at Buy Products JAPAN.
View all Daruma dolls at Buy Products JAPAN
What Is a Daruma Doll? A Symbol of Wishes and Perseverance
A Daruma doll is a traditional Japanese paper-mache figure that is said to be modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism.
- A hollow, round shape
- A weighted bottom that makes it stand back up when knocked over
- A distinctive face with large eyes, bold eyebrows, and a beard
Thanks to these features, a Daruma is more than just a decoration – it is used as a good luck charm for wishes and achieving goals.
Around the world, Daruma dolls are often introduced as a symbol of perseverance and as a good luck charm, and people use them for business, study, sports, and personal goals.
The History of Daruma Dolls and Takasaki Daruma
The Legend of Bodhidharma and the Round Shape
The model for the Daruma doll is said to be Bodhidharma, a monk who spread Zen teachings in China around the 5th–6th century.
- One legend says he meditated facing a wall for many years without moving.
- Because of this extreme practice, he is often depicted as having lost the use of his arms and legs.
Based on this story, it is said that the round, limbless form of the Daruma doll was born.
Japan’s Biggest Daruma Production Area: Takasaki, Gunma
Today, many of the Daruma dolls distributed in Japan are made in Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture.
- Official sites of Takasaki City and Gunma Prefecture often state that “the majority (around 80%) of Daruma dolls in Japan are produced in Takasaki.”
- Takasaki is home to Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple, which has a deep connection with Daruma, as well as many workshops, and a Daruma market is held every year.
The Takasaki Daruma is especially famous for its face design:
- Eyebrows painted in the shape of a crane
- Beard patterns resembling a turtle’s shell
Together they express good fortune and long life.
View all Daruma dolls at Buy Products JAPAN
The Meaning Behind the Daruma Doll’s Shape and Face
The Round Body and “Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up”
A Daruma doll has a weighted bottom, so it naturally stands itself back up when it is knocked over, just like a roly-poly toy.
Because of this, it has come to symbolize the spirit of:
“Seven times down, eight times up” – even if you fail many times, you keep getting back up.
The Eyes and the Goal-Setting Ritual
Most Daruma dolls are sold with both eyes left blank.
- First, decide on a clear wish or specific goal.
- Draw in one eye in black while focusing on that wish.
- Place the Daruma somewhere you will see it every day and keep taking action.
- When the goal is achieved, draw in the other eye to “open” both eyes.
This ritual itself becomes a process of:
- Declaring your goal
- Remembering it daily
- Celebrating its achievement
In this way, a Daruma doll can be used as more than a good luck charm – it can serve as a self-management tool for goals and habits.
The Eyebrows and Beard: Hidden Cranes and Turtles
In Takasaki Daruma and similar styles, even the facial design has symbolic meaning.
- Eyebrows: curved upwards in the shape of a crane
- Beard: the pattern drawn from the cheeks to the mouth is shaped like a turtle
In Japan there is a saying, “A crane lives a thousand years, a turtle ten thousand years.” Cranes and turtles are symbols of good fortune and longevity.
Daruma Doll Color Meanings: Red, Gold, White, Black and More
Today, Daruma dolls are made not only in red but in a variety of colors. English-language sites and Japanese explanations often describe them with meanings like these:
-
Red
The most common color. Said to be based on a monk’s robe and connected with protection from misfortune. Used for general good luck, protection, and goal achievement. -
Gold / Yellow
Wealth, business success, prosperity. Popular for new businesses or financial goals. -
White
New beginnings, purity, balance. Ideal when resetting your life or setting New Year’s resolutions. -
Black
Warding off bad luck, protection, avoiding trouble. Sometimes chosen for exams or important business projects. -
Other colors (pink, blue, green, etc.)
Pink: love and relationships / Blue: work and career / Green: health and vitality, and so on.
The exact meanings can vary by region and maker. At Buy Products JAPAN, rather than forcing fixed meanings, we believe the most important thing is to choose the color you genuinely like, find cute, or feel fits your interior.
You can see all available colors and sizes in the Daruma doll collection at Buy Products JAPAN.
How to Use a Daruma Doll: 4 Steps for Achieving Your Goals
Step 1: Choose One Clear Goal
For example:
- “Pass my ◯◯ exam this year.”
- “Grow monthly sales to ◯◯.”
- “Study or exercise for 30 minutes every day.”
It’s usually best to dedicate one Daruma doll to one clear goal, so it’s obvious what it stands for.
Step 2: Paint in One Eye
Use a black marker or brush pen to fill in one eye. At this moment you can:
- Say your goal out loud
- Write your goal on paper and place it under the base
These small rituals make the experience more memorable and help turn it into a habit.
Step 3: Place It Where You See It Every Day
Put your Daruma somewhere you’ll definitely see it daily – on your desk, beside your monitor, on a bookshelf, or by your front door. Here are a few examples:
Small red Daruma on a work desk
Medium Daruma in a home office
Several Daruma dolls on a living room shelf
Step 4: When You Reach Your Goal, Paint the Other Eye and Celebrate
Once you’ve achieved your goal, fill in the other eye to “open” both eyes.
You can:
- Take photos or a video of the moment
- Celebrate together with friends or your team
- Share it on social media as a record of your achievement
This celebration becomes a powerful boost of motivation for your next goal.
When Is a Daruma Doll the Perfect Gift?
A Daruma doll is not only great for yourself, but also makes a thoughtful and symbolic gift.
- Starting a new year
- Supporting someone taking exams or certification tests
- Congratulating a job change, promotion, or new business
- Housewarming or new office openings
- As a “very Japanese” gift for friends abroad
You can also suggest colors for each occasion:
- Gold Daruma: business or startup celebrations
- Red Daruma: exams, sports, lessons, or training
- White Daruma: new homes and fresh starts
How to Choose the Right Daruma Doll (Size, Color, Design)
Choosing by Size
- Small (up to about 9 cm): for personal desks or children’s study desks
- Medium (around 12–15 cm): for bookshelves, living rooms, or shared spaces at work
- Large (20 cm and above): for office entrances, stores, or team-wide goals
Choosing by Color and Purpose
Here are some examples of how you might match colors to your goals:
- Work & business → red or gold
- Study & exams → red or blue
- Health → green
- Love & relationships → pink
Recommending combinations that fit your product lineup helps customers choose more easily.
Choosing by Origin and Design
- Takasaki Daruma and other dolls with a clearly defined production area
- Dolls hand-painted one by one by craftsmen
- Different facial expressions and decorative motifs
These points also become part of the story and uniqueness of each Daruma.
FAQ: Common Questions About Daruma Dolls
Finally, here are some frequently asked questions about Daruma dolls.
Q1. Which eye should I paint first?
A. Customs vary by
region, but in Japan it is often said that people paint the “right eye from
the viewer’s perspective” first.
The most important thing is the
sequence: paint one eye when you set your goal, and paint the second eye
when you achieve it.
Q2. What should I do with my Daruma after my wish comes true?
A. In Japan, people sometimes bring their Daruma dolls to a temple to
be ritually burned in gratitude.
If you don’t have access to such a
place, you can:
- Keep it as a memento and display it
- Pass your goal on to a new Daruma and dispose of the old one respectfully
Choose a way that feels right to you while treating the doll with appreciation.
Q3. Is it okay to have a Daruma doll even if I’m not Japanese?
A. Absolutely. A Daruma is not a religious obligation.
It is
widely accepted as a symbol that helps you remember your goals and keep
going until the end.
Q4. Can I put multiple wishes into one Daruma doll?
A.
You can, but dedicating one Daruma to one goal usually makes it clearer what
it stands for and makes it easier to stay focused. Having one Daruma for
each major goal is a good approach.
In Summary: One Daruma Doll to Support Your Will to Keep Going
- A Daruma doll is a traditional Japanese charm that embodies the spirit of “seven times down, eight times up.”
- Through the eye-painting ritual, you declare your goal, remember it daily, and celebrate its achievement.
- Different colors, sizes, and designs each have their own meanings and charm.
If you have a goal you want to reach, or someone you want to support, consider choosing one Daruma doll just for that purpose.
“Find the Daruma that best matches your goals and wishes.”