Clay Darumas

Fourth grade students created Darumas, a Japanese good luck talisman, out of clay.  Students were instructed to think of a reason either they, or someone they care about, might need a little luck in their lives. 
They created a theme for their daruma around this need.  Darumas originated as a Japanese talisman of good luck.

Their armless and legless design is inspired by the story of the Bodhidharma, a Zen priest.  The daruma represents determination in achieving your goals, seen also in the non-toppling design (darumas wobble, but they don’t fall down). 

Daruma dolls are often depicted as wearing red robes, because this is the color worn by the Zen monks who have achieved the highest level of spiritual attainment.  

Students exercised their artistic license and created animal, sport, and other unusually themed darumas.