Daruma

“Daruma” is a popular lucky item. Do you know the origin of “daruma” and the meaning of carving “daruma”?

What is Daruma

Daruma dolls have been carved into many people since ancient times as auspicious carvings. Daruma dolls are still popular these days as cute items that help make wishes come true.

Origin

Daruma is modeled after a person named Daruma Daishi. Bodhidharma is the founder of Zen Buddhism, and legend has it that his hands and feet rotted after sitting in front of a wall for nine years.
Daruma Daishi was originally born in India, but he traveled to China and spread Zen Buddhism. Before long, the teachings of Daruma Daishi were transmitted to Japan and spread throughout the country, mainly among samurai. This led to the creation of figurines without limbs in the Kamakura period.
In the Muromachi period, ‘Okiagari Koboshi’, which is an ornament with a rounded bottom that does not fall down, was introduced to Japan.
However, it was around the Edo period that the current “daruma” was made. Daruma Daishi’s figurines began to be made in the shape of “Rising Koboshi”. This expresses Daruma Daishi’s desire to not be discouraged by difficulties and hardships.

The meaning of carving Daruma, the difference in color

When making a wish, write the left eye of the “Dharma”, and when the wish comes true, write the right eye of the “Dharma”.

The red daruma is a color that has been used since ancient times and was believed to ward off evil spirits. Therefore, it has the oldest history as a lucky charm to prevent illness and misfortune.

The black daruma symbolizes prosperity in business.

Yellow means fertility because it is the color of grain. It also has the meaning of rising money luck.

The white daruma symbolizes success in exams and achievement of goals.