The daruma is a wooden figure which tradition represents a Chinese Zen master Indio (preaching in China) to step 9 years meditating motionless, whose name was Bodhidharma. As a consequence lost his legs and arms do not use them. That's why the figure of a daruma doll with no arms or legs, but with whiskers and eyes.
The daruma has eyes for as the Japanese have to paint for the right eye of the daruma while asking a wish and when this desire you have to paint you meet the other eye and go to the temple to burn in some special dates later this year.
The darumas often bought earlier this year to start the year on the right foot and asking our desire for new year, so in early January in Japan it is normal for large markets that sell darumas. It is also common to see sales darumas in Setsubun , because that day is the day that formerly was the last day of the year.

It is also common to find darumas of different colors, although red is traditional. It is assumed that the colors used to make wishes more specific, such as gold used to make wishes for money, the target to pass exams, orange etc to ask for health.

Update: The size of the Daruma is also considered as important. It is believed that the bigger is this, the greater may be the desire we can ask, so it would not be advisable to seek a strong desire to a very small Daruma.

Photo of Daruma I bought the day of Setsubun.

Daruma Photo of the day I bought the Setsubun after asking my desire.