Throughout history Daruma dolls were believed to be able to ward off illness, and help with recovery (literally bouncing back to health).
The Daruma perfectly illustrates the Japanese proverb "nanakorobi yaoki" which can be translated as "fall seven times, get up eight times". In other words, it is important to remember that, no matter how many times you fall, always get up to achieve your goals. The Daruma is a lucky charm, but above all it is a powerful symbol of perseverance.