By Tyrese Nader
The Japanese culture is often associated with its exquisite cuisine, religious obligations and traditional ways of respect and presentation.
Introducing The Daruma Doll, a rich traditional talisman highly valued and regarded as a symbol of good luck for all of the Japanese, those who live in Japan and those of the outside world who are granted great privilege to receive this enchanting item.
The Daruma is seen as a sign of perseverance and encouragement for an individual who has the burning intention of improving themselves in the areas that they see fit.
The most common colour that people will have is a red Daruma which is said to prevent harm and bad luck reaching a person while also returning good luck in many ways, whether it be through fortune or health.
All Daruma colours contain a specific and significant meaning. Gold or yellow Darumas symbolise money and wealth, purple and green represent a positive development in physical health, white attracts purity and balance, orange and blue go hand in hand as they are a sign of future academic success and career success respectively, pink is a sign of love and romance, and the most compelling of them all, the black Daruma, is a sign of protection against dark and evil spirits.
The Daruma is said to have originated in the early years of the 1700s at Shorinzan Daruma Temple in the city of Takasaki, which is north of Tokyo, and was made by a Japanese buddhist monk by the name of Bodhidharma, who is recognised as the founder of Zen Buddhism in Japan.
The Daruma was modelled after Bodhidharma, with its hollow, round wooden build representing the human structure of the creator.
To properly activate the Daruma’s good luck factor, a person must make an intention or multiple intentions to themselves, then they must colour in the left eye with a marker or Texta (any colour is allowed) and after one year the right eye is coloured if that person is satisfied with their progress.
We all could use some good in our lives and a Daruma might just be that lucky charm for some!
Featured image: Daruma dolls are believed to bring their owners good luck. Photo: Tyrese Nader
