Daruma color meaning — what it is and why it's needed

What is a daruma and why is it needed

A daruma is a round doll without arms or legs, heavy at the bottom and therefore a roly-poly: it wobbles and returns upright. It depicts the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of Chan/Zen Buddhism. A new doll has both eyes white, without pupils: one is painted in when making a wish for the year, the second when the goal is achieved.

• Red — the historical and most common color, associated with protection from illness and misfortune.
• White — purity, the start of a new path.
• Gold — material well-being, money.
• Pink — love and relationships, the most modern and commercial meaning.

One eye at the start, the second by results

Daruma are sold eyeless at New Year, often at a temple during a special fair. One eye is painted in immediately, while formulating a goal, and the doll is placed in a visible spot — so that its gaze reminds you of unfinished business. If the goal is not achieved by the end of the year, some burn the daruma at the temple along with old amulets and buy a new one.

Name and characters: 達磨

達 — значение: done, to reach, arrival — онъёми: タツ、ダ — кунъёми: -たち — 12 штрих(ов). 達 — 'to reach, to achieve': the first character in 達磨, a phonetic rendering of Bodhidharma's name. The same character appears in 目標達成 'achievement of a goal', exactly what the second eye is painted for.

達磨 — Bodhidharma's name by sound

達磨 is a phonetic rendering of Bodhidharma's name (達磨大師), not a meaningful Japanese word: both characters are chosen for sound, not meaning. The doll itself usually has no inscriptions, only traditional symbols — crane eyebrows and turtle mustache, signs of longevity.

Repeat the stroke order of 達 in the trainer — the first character of the word 達磨.

Takasaki — the capital of daruma

The largest center for producing and selling daruma is Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture, where an annual fair is held at Shōrinzan Temple. Dolls have been handmade there for over a century, and a significant portion of all daruma in the country come from there.

Daruma are given for a specific goal

Daruma are given as a wish for success in a specific endeavor — an exam, business, elections — not just 'as a keepsake'. It's not customary to give a used daruma with an already painted eye: symbolically, that's someone else's goal, not one started anew.

FAQ

What does the color of a daruma mean?

Red — the historical meaning, protection from illness and misfortune. White, gold, and pink are newer commercial options: purity, money, and love, respectively.

Why is a daruma needed?

To mark a goal for the year: one eye is painted when making a wish, the second when it comes true. The doll sits in a visible place and reminds you of unfinished business.

How do you write 'daruma' in Japanese?

It's written 達磨, read 'daruma' — a phonetic rendering of Bodhidharma's name, the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism. The characters are chosen for sound, not meaning, as with most names from other languages.

What does a red daruma mean?

Red is the most common and historically first color of daruma, associated with protection from illness and misfortune. Other colors are a modern commercial extension of the canon.

Where are daruma made in Japan?

In Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture — an annual fair is held there at Shōrinzan Temple, and a significant portion of all daruma in the country are handmade there.

Which eye is painted first on a daruma?

The doll's left eye, i.e., the right one relative to the viewer, is painted first — when making a wish. The second is painted only after the goal is achieved.

Sources

• JNTO: daruma from Takasaki
• Kotobank: 達磨