The Daruma Doll: Meaning, History and How to Make a Wish
The Daruma Doll: Meaning, History and How to Make a Wish
A round red face, a fierce frown, and two blank white circles where the eyes should be. If you've ever seen a daruma doll, you've probably wondered why it has no pupils. The answer is one of the most charming traditions in Japan: the daruma is a wishing doll, and you give it its eyes yourself. Here's the meaning behind the daruma, how to make a wish with one, and why it has become a symbol of never giving up.
What Is a Daruma Doll?
A daruma is a traditional Japanese doll, usually red, round and hollow, with a weighted base. It's one of Japan's most popular good-luck charms, used to set goals and make wishes. The doll's face is painted with bold eyebrows and a moustache or beard, but the eyes are left blank, ready for the owner to fill in when they set a goal.
The History of the Daruma
Inspired by Bodhidharma
The daruma is modelled on Bodhidharma, known in Japan as Daruma Daishi, a Buddhist monk traditionally credited as the founder of Zen. According to legend, he meditated facing a wall for nine years without moving, so long that he lost the use of his arms and legs. That's why daruma dolls are round, with no arms or legs at all.
Takasaki: The Home of the Daruma
Many of Japan's daruma dolls are made in Takasaki, in Gunma Prefecture, where the tradition has been practised for centuries. Takasaki daruma are famous for their faces: the eyebrows are painted in the shape of a crane and the beard in the shape of a turtle, both symbols of long life in Japan.
Why Does a Daruma Always Stand Back Up?
A daruma's weighted, rounded base means that if you knock it over, it rolls right back upright. This makes it a symbol of resilience and perseverance, captured in the Japanese saying nana korobi ya oki: 'fall down seven times, get up eight'. It's a reminder that setbacks are part of the journey, and what matters is getting back up.
How to Make a Wish With a Daruma Doll
Making a wish with a daruma is simple, and it's a lovely tradition for New Year, a birthday or the start of any new chapter.
Step 1: Set Your Goal
Think of a specific goal or wish, something you're willing to work towards. The daruma isn't a magic charm that does the work for you; it's a reminder to keep going.
Step 2: Paint in the First Eye
As you commit to your goal, fill in one of the daruma's eyes with a black pen or paint. Many people start with the doll's left eye, which is on your right as you face it.
Step 3: Keep Your Daruma Where You'll See It
Place your one-eyed daruma somewhere you'll see it every day, like a desk, shelf or entrance. Each time you see it, it's a reminder of the promise you made to yourself.
Step 4: Paint the Second Eye When Your Wish Comes True
Once you've achieved your goal, fill in the second eye to complete the daruma and give thanks. It's a wonderfully satisfying moment.
What Do Daruma Colours Mean?
Red is the traditional daruma colour, linked to the robes of Buddhist monks and long believed to ward off illness and bad luck. Today, daruma come in many colours, each with its own association. Gold is linked to wealth and fortune, white to purity and harmony, and black to protection from bad luck. Pink is often associated with love, while blue and green are linked to study, career and health. As with a lucky cat, the best colour is the one that matches your wish.
A Note on What to Do With an Old Daruma
In Japan, many people take their daruma back to a temple at the end of the year, whether their wish came true or not, to thank it for its support. Temples hold special ceremonies where old daruma are burned, and people often buy a new one to start the next year with a fresh goal. If you don't live near a temple, simply thanking your daruma and keeping it as a reminder of what you achieved is a lovely way to honour the tradition.
Bring the Daruma Into Your Everyday
The spirit of the daruma, setting goals and getting back up, is something worth being reminded of every day.
Daruma Mugs
The Daruma Mug Cup turns this beloved symbol into a Mino ware mug for your morning coffee or tea, a small daily reminder of the goal you're working towards. It's a thoughtful gift for a new job, graduation or anyone starting something new.
Lucky Cat Daruma Mugs
For double the luck, the Lucky Cat Daruma Mug Cup combines the daruma with the maneki neko, Japan's famous lucky cat, and comes in several colours. The Lucky Cat Daruma Mug Gift Set is ready to give. Read more about the lucky cat in our guide to maneki neko meaning.
Looking for more meaningful gifts? Explore our Japanese Christmas Gift Guide 2026 or our Mino ware collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
A daruma is sold with blank eyes so the owner can paint in one eye when they set a goal, and the second eye once the goal is achieved.
Many people colour in the doll's left eye first, which is on your right as you face it. The second eye is filled in once the wish comes true.
A daruma symbolises perseverance, good luck and achieving your goals. Because it always rolls back upright, it represents the idea of 'fall down seven times, get up eight'.
Yes. A daruma is a meaningful gift for New Year, a new job, exams, a new business or anyone starting a new chapter, because it encourages them to set a goal and keep going.