Japanese Daruma Doll

This is a popular item at about this time of the year. The belief is that a Dharma doll such as the one here can be enticed to use it's spiritual power to bring luck or success to a venture.

The method is to draw in one eye and make it a promise to draw the other eye if it will aid in bringing about the supplicant's wish. As such the Dharma dolls are very popular in Japan and other Asian countries.

I remember having been given one as a child years ago and tried using it. Guess what? It worked. Unfortunately, shortly after I fulfilled my end of the bargain it ended up as a chew toy for my dog. Back then they were made from all natural materials so the dog was fine, but as for the paper-maiche doll ... oh well.

The chinese character on the this Dharma doll's chest is the character for luck (or good fortune). It's pronounced [fu_ook] - yes I know it sounds like that word if you say it wrong, but that's what it sounds like.

The Dharma doll shown here can be used as one. Just print it out. Give it one eye and place it somewhere with a good view - a view of the garden or something natural is suppose to work best. It might actually help make a wish come true; and if it does make sure you draw in the other eye!

Anyway, here's more info on this type of doll from Wikipedia if you're interested: [link]

Rendered in Illustrator 10
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If you want to paint your own version of this Dharma doll the line art can be found here: [link]