Daruma Dolls. - 達磨 - [Charm | Folktoy]

Daruma Dolls. - 達磨

...Seven times down, 8 times up!

Traditional Charms of encouragement, reliability and perseverance, hollow papermache, weighted dolls. (you can knock them over and they'll stand right back up!) they're modelled after Bodhidharma [The founder of zen tradition of Buddhism.]

You fill in one eye when you start a goal or make a wish, but you can only fill the other eye in once you've finished it. - Certain colours are said to be particularly lucky for certain tasks:

•Red is for Fortune or Luck.

• Blue is for Success.

• Purple is for Health.

• Yellow is for Protection.

• Gold is for Wealth.

• Pink is for Love.

•White is For Harmony.

• Green is for Beauty/Self-Care.

• Black is for Secret keeping or warding away evil.

Traditionally: around the time of Setsubun; daruma dolls are brought back to the shrine that they were purchased at & set ablaze in a ceremony known as "Daruma Kuyo" – its sometimes said that daruma that are not burnt, become Tsukumogami, sprouting arms and legs! – there are a number of urban legends surrounding Daruma himself, perhaps i'll cover them another time.

Sticker Art by @Samkalensky (yo thats me!) - Part of my Japanese folklore & artifacts sticker collection, weather-resistant 4" Glossy sticker. Check my shop & follow @samkalensky for many more!