Daruma

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The Daruma doll represents more than just an amulet; it embodies the specific goal we've set for ourselves and serves as a reminder and motivation to help us stay on track throughout the process. In Japan, it's common for people to give Daruma dolls as gifts to help someone achieve their objectives, often on special occasions like birthdays or New Year's celebrations. However, we can present these dolls at any time because everyone has goals they want to attain. Once we've determined our goal, we must paint one eye and work diligently to achieve it. When we finally accomplish our objective, we should paint the other eye as a gesture of gratitude. Legend has it that Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, didn't attain enlightenment until nine years after meditating in solitude within a cave. Despite his prolonged meditation, which resulted in atrophy of his limbs and even self-mutilation to stay focused, he still found it difficult to remain awake. Considering these legends, it's easy to understand why Daruma dolls have their unique shape. Moreover, the design of the doll, including its shape, color, white eye cavities, and beautiful face, carries special symbolism. Another notable feature of Daruma dolls is their facial hair – specifically, their eyebrows are shaped like a crane, while the hair on their cheeks resembles a turtle shell. Both animals are revered symbols of longevity in Japan, which means that the doll's facial beauty symbolizes longevity when it comes to achieving our goals.