What Do Origami Cranes Symbolize?
Japanese culture is full of ancient animal-related traditions. In this article, we’ll tell you what Origami cranes (or “tsurus”) symbolize, their history and why they are so famous.
Significance of Origami Cranes
Origami is the art of making objects out of paper and is thousands of years old. However, the Origami cranes, which we know so well, were “invented” less than a century ago.
It all happened in the 1940s during the Hiroshima War, which resulted in the explosion of an atomic bomb. At that time, a girl named Sadako Sasaki was very sick from being exposed to radiation.
While she was in the hospital, her friend Chizuko advised her to make paper cranes, since if she hit the thousand, she could make a wish.
Of course hers would be to be cured of the illness that afflicted her, but she also wanted the war to end.
The girl did not reach her goal, as she died after making the number 644, but her friends continued with the ‘mission’ that would become known around the world and that would symbolize peace from that moment on.
In Japan , Origami cranes are given to wish another person health, happiness, well-being and prosperity.
For example, when a couple gets married, when a baby is born, or when someone is sick.
Furthermore, they can also be given to a person we love very much.
The crane as a symbol of Japan
In addition to the meaning of the origami crane, it’s good to know what symbolism revolves around this bird with long legs and long neck.
In Japanese culture, it is associated with loyalty and honor as well as strength. For this reason, he was chosen by the samurai caste to embellish the design of their weapons and shields.
When one sees a crane in the Far East, it is considered a good omen. He is called “the bird of peace” or “of happiness” and, of course, “of peace” thanks to Origami. It even appears in the Kung Fu Panda movie saga !
According to a legend, this bird protects the weak with its large wings and transports people to the highest spiritual terrains. When someone dies, they say he takes his soul to paradise.
The Japanese crane is a grubby bird with black and white feathers that is characterized by its elegance, agility and ability to react to danger.
And besides, it’s one of the longest-lived birds: it can live for 40 years, despite a Japanese myth that it grows to a thousand. For this reason, they are related to the sages and the search for the spiritual path in Buddhism.
It inhabits the island of Hokkaido and protects its nest with a ferocity little known to others in its family.
Also, for this reason, it is a symbol of protection for the family and bearer of good fortune.
