Daruma Doll Meaning: Which Eye to Paint, Colors, Disposal

The daruma doll is one of Japan’s most famous symbols of good fortune. When you first buy one, you’ll notice it has no eyes. This is intentional. The ritual of painting the eyes is central to the doll’s meaning, and it must be done correctly for your wish to come true. Knowing which eye to paint first and how to handle the doll later, especially outside Japan, is important.

The Meaning Behind the Daruma Doll

Daruma dolls are often used by people who want strength and perseverance while working toward a goal. Whether it’s passing an exam, starting a business, or achieving a personal milestone, the daruma represents determination.

The round shape of the doll is inspired by Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, who is often shown meditating. That is why the daruma always returns upright when pushed over. It reflects resilience and the ability to keep going despite setbacks.

Why Most Daruma Dolls Are Red

The color red has long been considered protective in Japan. It is linked to good luck and the power to ward off evil. This is why most traditional daruma dolls are painted red. The fierce face is not meant to scare but to remind the owner of inner strength and focus.

Different Colors and Their Meanings

Although the red version is the most common, daruma dolls are made in many other colors today. Each shade carries its own meaning and is connected to different wishes. For example, gold is often chosen for wealth, while white can represent purity or new beginnings. Picking the right color matters because it aligns the doll with your specific hope or intention. More on that later...

Painting the Eyes

The doll’s eyes are left blank when you buy it. The tradition is to paint in one eye when you set your goal. This act gives the daruma purpose and starts your journey. The second eye is filled in only when the wish is fulfilled. Completing the eyes symbolizes achievement and gratitude for the outcome.

How to Dispose of a Daruma Doll Abroad

In Japan, old daruma dolls are usually returned to temples for ceremonial burning. This ritual thanks the doll and respectfully releases it. But if you are living abroad, you may not have access to a temple. In that case, the most respectful method is to wrap the daruma in paper and dispose of it with care. Some people choose to keep them as keepsakes, especially if the goal they set with the doll was deeply meaningful.

The Origin of the Daruma Doll

The daruma doll is modeled after the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. Legend says he spent nine years meditating in front of a wall until his arms and legs wasted away. He was born in India and later introduced Zen Buddhism to China. In Japan, his teachings spread through the samurai.

To honor him, the first limbless round dolls were made in Japan during the Kamakura Period (1185-1333). Later, in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), Japan adopted the "okiagari-koboshi," a self-righting toy doll with a rounded bottom that always bounced back upright.

The modern daruma doll came about in the Edo Period (1603-1868) by combining the limbless figure with the self-righting toy. It became a symbol of perseverance, standing back up no matter what setbacks you face.

The Teachings of Bodhidharma

Bodhidharma is credited with writing the Treatise on the Two Entrances and Four Practices. It explains two “entrances” to discipline and four practices to help a person strengthen the mind. Its message emphasizes patience, responsibility, and living sincerely.

The daruma doll reflects these teachings, representing resilience and the pursuit of personal goals.

The Daruma Doll as a Symbol of Luck

By the Edo Period, daruma dolls were also seen as charms for good fortune. The red color was believed to protect against evil and even epidemics. Over time, this belief turned into the idea that daruma dolls could help wishes come true.

A custom developed of buying daruma dolls without eyes. You would paint one eye when making a wish, then paint the other after the wish came true. This tradition likely started during a smallpox outbreak in the Edo Period. Since smallpox often affected eyesight, dolls with large, healthy eyes gained popularity. Eventually, eyeless dolls were made so people could draw the eyes themselves.

Daruma doll colors meaning guide

Daruma comes in many colors, and each shade points to a different wish. People use these lucky dolls for goals, protection, and focus. Color choice matters for results, and many also place colorful daruma for feng shui. Pick the tone that matches your aim.

Black daruma meaning for business success

Black is tied to strength, stability, and protection. Many choose a black daruma when building a company or trying to steady a shop. The color is said to block trouble and push away bad luck, which helps clear the path for steady growth and smart decisions. There is also a craft story here. Some black versions use Nishijin fabric with the Edo Kimekomi method, and artists add gold patterns that glow against the deep black. Each piece is handmade, small enough to rest in your palm, and easy to place anywhere at home or at work. People who feel stuck or unlucky use black to cleanse the space and reset momentum.

Gold daruma meaning for money and career fortune

Gold signals wealth, reward, and progress at work. Use a gold daruma when you want more financial luck or a strong step up in your career. It is common for business goals, contracts, and sales targets. People in Japan reach for gold when they want success in business and life, and many in China also favor this color for the same reasons. Place it where you handle money or plan a strategy to keep your focus on growth.

Silver daruma meaning for safe childbirth

Silver is linked to calm, care, and protection for new life. Families choose a silver daruma to pray for a smooth pregnancy and safe delivery. It brings a gentle mood to the room and reminds everyone to support the parent and child. Keep it in a quiet spot where you rest or prepare for the baby.

Yellow daruma meaning for making dreams real

Yellow is tied to hope, clarity, and steady action. Choose yellow when you want a big dream to take form in the real world. It is used to turn ideas into daily steps, and to keep motivation bright through the long stretch. Put it where you plan your goals or write your to do list so the dream stays visible and active.

Pink daruma meaning for romantic success

Pink speaks to love, trust, and warm bonds. People use a pink daruma to invite new love or to strengthen a current relationship. It supports patience, clear talk, and shared joy. Keep it where you see it each day, and use it as a cue to act with care and honesty.

Blue daruma meaning for academic success

Blue is linked to study, logic, and steady focus. Students choose a blue daruma for coursework, research, or long study plans. It helps set a calm rhythm for reading, note taking, and practice. Place it at your desk to anchor a daily study habit and reduce distraction.

White daruma meaning for exam success and home blessing

White is often chosen for exams and test results. It suggests clarity, clean focus, and a fresh start. Many also use white at home to clear heavy energy and bring good fortune to the household. A white daruma with gold accents feels refined and bright. People place it near the entry to welcome luck as they come and go. It is also used to pray for family safety and wellbeing, which makes white a popular housewarming gift. When you add the first eye, begin with the left one. Most small dolls work best with a fine-tipped permanent marker for a neat result.

Red daruma meaning for growing luck and new ventures

Red is the classic color tied to fire and rising energy. People say its luck builds with an intense burn, which makes it a go-to color for new projects. It is common to give a red daruma to someone starting a business or opening a store. Keep it visible to keep the spark alive through the early hurdles.

How to choose daruma colors for feng shui and goals

There are many other colors in addition to these popular choices, and each carries its own meaning. Colorful daruma are often used in feng shui to balance a room and support the intention you set. Think about your main goal, then match the color to that need. Business owners often pick black or gold. Students lean toward blue or white. Couples reach for pink. For new parents, silver feels right. If you are chasing a long-held dream, yellow keeps the vision active. If you want rising luck for a fresh start, red stays a strong choice.

Choose the color that fits your aim, place the doll where you will see it, and treat it as a daily reminder to act on your goal.

Which Eye of the Daruma Doll Do You Paint First?

When you first purchase a daruma doll, it will have a blank face with no eyes. This is intentional. The tradition is that the owner paints the eyes, turning the doll into a personal symbol of focus and perseverance. The ritual follows a set order, and understanding this sequence is important if you want to honor the custom correctly.

The process begins with making a clear wish or setting a specific goal. Once you have decided what you want to achieve, you paint in one eye. Traditionally, you begin with the daruma’s left eye, which appears on the right side when you look at the doll face-to-face. The second eye is painted only after your wish has been realized or your goal has been accomplished.

The reason for this order comes from Buddhist symbolism. The two eyes of the daruma represent what is known as “A-un.” In Buddhist tradition, “A” is the sound of a beginning, and “Un” or “Hum” is the sound of an ending. Together, they represent the cycle of all things, from start to finish. By painting the left eye first, you mark the start of your journey. When the right eye is filled in, you close the cycle, showing that the wish has been completed.

This act of giving the daruma its eyes is more than decoration. It is a spiritual commitment. Each time you see the one-eyed doll, it reminds you of the goal you set and the effort required to reach it. When the second eye is finally added, it serves as a symbol of gratitude and fulfillment.

The Meaning of Completing Both Eyes

When the daruma has both eyes painted, the doll’s role is finished. In Japan, it is not considered respectful to simply throw the doll away. Instead, people return it to temples or shrines, where a Buddhist memorial service is held. During these ceremonies, hundreds of daruma dolls are collected and burned together. The fire represents release and renewal, returning the energy of the wish back into the cycle of life.

If you bought the daruma from a shop, you can usually take it back there to have it handled properly. Shops that sell daruma often have arrangements with temples to make sure the dolls are respectfully disposed of. At shrines, the ceremony is not only about disposal but also about giving thanks for the support the doll gave during your pursuit.

For those outside Japan, this part of the tradition can be harder to follow. Without access to a temple or shrine, some people choose to keep the doll as a reminder of what they achieved. Others wrap it carefully in paper and dispose of it in a way that shows respect. While it may not be identical to the Japanese ceremony, the intention of gratitude remains the most important part.

What Happens if You Paint the Wrong Eye First?

Many people worry about painting the wrong eye on a daruma doll. The usual tradition is to start with the left eye (from the doll’s perspective) when you set your goal. Later, once your wish has been achieved, you complete the right eye. But mistakes happen, and sometimes people accidentally fill in the opposite eye first.

The good news is that this is not a disaster. The act of giving the daruma its first eye is already considered a blessing. The ritual itself is what matters most, not the exact order of the eyes. The doll’s power to symbolize determination and good fortune does not vanish just because you started on the other side.

If you have a daruma doll with the right eye painted first, simply continue to use it as intended. Place it somewhere visible as a daily reminder of your goal, and let it serve its purpose. When your wish eventually comes true, you can complete the other eye and honor the tradition by showing gratitude for your success.

This flexibility is part of what makes the daruma so widely cherished. It is not about perfection but persistence. The doll’s round, unsteady shape already teaches the lesson of falling and rising again, so a minor mistake with the eyes fits naturally into its message. What matters is your sincerity when setting the intention and your commitment to follow through.

When it comes time to part with the doll, treat it with the same respect you would any daruma. Whether you are in Japan or abroad, you can complete the cycle by painting the second eye, thanking it for its role in your journey, and then disposing of it in a careful and respectful way.

How to Dispose of a Daruma Doll Abroad

In Japan, old daruma dolls are usually taken back to temples or shrines, where they are burned in a special ceremony as an offering of thanks. But if you live abroad, you likely don’t have access to that tradition. That doesn’t mean you should toss the doll out carelessly. A daruma is considered a sacred charm, and treating it with respect is part of honoring the wish or goal you placed in it.

A Respectful Way to Say Goodbye

When it’s time to part with your daruma, start by wiping the surface gently. This small step is more than cleaning; it symbolizes removing the lingering energy tied to your wish. After that, place the doll on a sheet of plain white paper large enough to wrap it fully.

White paper holds special meaning in Japan. It represents purity and is used in rituals to mark something as sacred. By wrapping the doll in white paper, you are enclosing it in a clean, respectful layer before release.

Before you close the paper around the doll, sprinkle a little salt over it. Salt is one of the oldest and most powerful symbols of purification in Japanese culture. It is used at shrines, in sumo wrestling, and even at funerals to cleanse negative energy. Adding salt ensures that the doll is purified before you let it go.

Once wrapped, hold the doll for a moment. This is when you quietly thank it for supporting your efforts and carrying your hopes. Expressing gratitude is not just symbolic, for it is seen as essential. The act of saying thank you acknowledges the role the daruma played in your journey, even if your wish was not fully realized.

Finally, you can place the wrapped daruma in the garbage. Because you’ve followed each step, the disposal is no longer seen as careless. Instead, it becomes a respectful closure of its role in your life.

Why Gratitude Matters

In Japanese belief, items like daruma dolls or maneki neko are considered vessels of good fortune, and neglecting them or discarding them improperly is thought to invite misfortune. Treating them with respect ensures that the positive energy they carry does not turn against you.

There are even old superstitions that say mistreating a charm can bring bad luck or hinder future goals. While you don’t need a large ceremony, the key is intention. A simple gesture of thanks and mindful disposal honors the cultural meaning of the daruma and prevents the act from feeling careless or disrespectful.

Keeping or Letting Go

Some people abroad choose not to dispose of their daruma at all. If the wish it represented was especially meaningful, it can be kept as a reminder of the effort behind it. Displaying it on a shelf, even after painting both eyes, is another way of honoring the doll. Whether you keep it or dispose of it, the important thing is to treat it with sincerity.

Painting Your Daruma Doll and Inviting Good Fortune

A daruma doll is more than just a decoration. It is a tool for focus, intention, and perseverance. Many people buy one without fully knowing how to use it, or what to do once its purpose has been fulfilled. Understanding the ritual and symbolism is what gives the doll its real power.

How to Begin With Your Daruma Doll

When you bring a new daruma into your home, it arrives with blank eyes. This is not a mistake. The tradition is to paint one eye when you set your goal or make a wish. Some people choose to do this in front of a home altar, while others prefer a quiet, personal moment of reflection. The important part is linking the act of painting the eye with a clear and specific intention. The doll then becomes a reminder to stay committed to that goal.

Daruma dolls are used for all kinds of wishes. Students keep them while preparing for exams. Business owners use them when opening a new shop or launching a project. Couples sometimes paint one when they are hoping for a healthy child. Athletes use them for motivation during training. No matter the dream, the daruma represents endurance and the strength to continue until success is reached.

When the Wish Is Fulfilled

Once your goal is achieved, the tradition is to paint in the second eye. This act completes the doll and shows gratitude for the result. Filling in the final eye is a moment of reflection, where you recognize both the effort you put in and the good fortune that helped along the way. For many people, this is the most meaningful part of the ritual.

What to Do With a Used Daruma

The question that puzzles most people is what comes next. In Japan, completed daruma dolls are usually taken to a shrine at the start of the new year. There, they are placed in a ceremonial fire as an offering of thanks. The burning does not destroy the wish; it is meant to release the energy and close that chapter respectfully.

For those living outside Japan, access to such ceremonies is rare. The respectful alternative is to wrap the doll in clean paper before disposing of it. This simple act shows acknowledgment of its role in your life. Some people prefer to keep old darumas on display, especially if the goals tied to them were life-changing, like graduating from university or recovering from illness. Keeping them as mementos is also acceptable, since the main purpose of the ritual is intention and gratitude.

The Meaning of Using a Daruma Correctly

Using a daruma doll properly is not about superstition. It is about setting a clear focus, staying mindful of your goal, and honoring the process when it is complete. Treating the doll with respect helps reinforce the seriousness of your commitment and the value of gratitude once you succeed.

When used with intention, the daruma can become more than a lucky charm. It can be a physical reminder of resilience, persistence, and the hope that even after setbacks, you can always stand up again. That is the spirit the daruma represents, and why the tradition continues to inspire people around the world.