The Daruma (達 磨), handmade from papier mâché, is a lucky Japanese amulet, also called a wishing figurine.
This is a representation of the monk Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. According to legend, the latter reached enlightenment after meditating alone in a cave for 9 years, but he lost his arms and legs which had atrophied. Hence its distinctive and iconic shape.
Decide on a goal and draw a first eye on the Daruma, reciting it mentally. We highlight the Daruma at home as a way to remember the goal to be achieved, it is a wish calling for action, and not an expectation of divine realization. When the goal is reached, you draw the second eye as a sign of gratitude. We sometimes note how we have achieved the desired goal: it is a checklist of our learning.
If you don't get what you want, it's traditional to burn your Daruma at the end of the year in a temple, it's the Goma ritual. It simply means that you are looking for other ways to achieve your goal.
Japanese Kanji "福" (fuku) written on its belly means happiness or blessing.
Red Daruma is the most common. With the luck kanji painted on her chin, it can be used for any type of lenses.
