The crane is a revered bird in Japan and is culturally significant in mythology and folklore. Cranes have been a symbol of longevity, luck, fidelity, and peace for centuries. One of the most well-known myths about cranes in Japan is the story of the thousand origami cranes.
The Thousand Cranes Myth
The thousand origami cranes myth dates back to ancient Japanese legend. The story goes that anyone who folds one thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish or have their prayers answered. This myth gained popularity outside of Japan after the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who was 2 years old when exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. She developed leukemia 10 years later at age 12. While in the hospital, Sadako started folding paper cranes in the hopes of making one thousand so that she could be cured. She folded about 1300 cranes before she passed away. Her story inspired the transformation of the thousand cranes myth into a symbol of peace and healing during challenging times.
Origins
The exact origins of the thousand paper cranes myth are uncertain, but many believe it stems from ancient Shinto and Buddhist traditions. In Shintoism, the crane is one of the mystical or holy creatures called the “Hundred Animals of Good Fortune.” In Buddhism, the crane symbolizes happiness and eternal youth. The Senbazuru tradition, meaning “thousand cranes,” dates back to the 1700s at least. It’s commonly believed that the thousand cranes wish granting comes from the Japanese saying “nana-korobi ya oki,” which means “fall down seven times, get up eight.” Making one thousand cranes would require a great deal of effort and persistence, so completing the senbazuru proves one’s diligence and dedication to a goal.
Traditions and Practices
While the thousand origami cranes myth is usually associated with wishes coming true or prayers being answered, it has evolved into an important cultural tradition that represents hope, healing, peace, and solidarity. Some common practices involving thousand paper cranes in Japan include:
- Giving senbazuru as gifts at weddings, birthdays, or graduations to wish good fortune
- Stringing thousand cranes together and displaying them in homes or temples as decoration and a symbol of peace
- Folding cranes and bringing them to loved ones who are sick to support healing and recovery
- Donating thousands of folded paper cranes to memorials and monuments for people who have passed away
While anyone can fold one thousand paper cranes, it is seen as a significant time commitment and act of dedication. Japanese school children will commonly undertake senbazuru craft projects over the school year to develop their commitment, patience, and perseverance.
The Crane in Modern Culture
The thousand origami cranes myth remains culturally significant in modern day Japanese society. It has also spread around the world, with people undertaking crane folding projects during challenging times or to commemorate people or events. Some examples include:
- The Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park is dedicated to Sadako Sasaki and other child victims of the atomic bombing. People from around the world send folded paper cranes to be displayed at the monument in a wish for peace.
- Thousands of paper cranes were left at memorials for victims in the aftermath of tragedies like the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami disaster.
- Senbazuru are commonly given as gifts of hope and peace of mind to sick and injured people.
- Communities and groups around the world have undertaken collaborative thousand crane projects to promote peace, healing, or commemoration after events like war, school shootings, or natural disasters.
While the mythology and meaning behind the thousand paper cranes can vary, the crane in Japanese culture remains an enduring symbol of peace, hope, perseverance, and healing.
Conclusion
The myth of folding one thousand paper cranes carrying a wish or prayer is a long-lasting Japanese tradition steeped in ancient mythology and culture. The crane is one of the most significant cultural symbols in Japan, representing longevity, fidelity, luck, and peace. While the origins of the senbazuru myth are uncertain, it is commonly believed to be tied to ancient Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. Over time, the thousand cranes practice has evolved into a tradition representing hope and healing during challenging times. The story of Sadako Sasaki helped popularize the myth outside Japan and turn it into an international symbol of peace. While the goal of wishes coming true is central to the myth, the act of folding one thousand cranes also promotes perseverance, dedication, and working toward a goal. The thousand origami cranes myth endures in modern Japan and around the world as a way to commemorate people and events, spread hope and peace, and symbolically promote recovery and healing.
