Even though I am not a fan of superstition, I am a fan of stories and fables and artwork that empowers! Paper cranes- one thousand to be precise- strung together and hung up have a multitude of cultural meanings in the East beyond being beautiful to behold. They are symbolic of peace, health, prosperity and mythical wisdom, especially if you fold 1000 of them!
In ancient Japan and China, cranes were viewed as near-mythical wisdom and size. The elegant birds were thought to live for 1000 years, and with such magnificent life-spans, impart a magical aspect to life. Over years, origami (the delightfully intricate art of paper folding) evolved to include the legend of the 1000 Paper Cranes. If you create your own 1000 paper cranes you will have a wish fulfilled or an illness healed, as the story goes. Also, if your father gives you 1000 paper cranes on your wedding day your marriage will be blessed. They are symbolic of peace, health, prosperity and mythical wisdom. Pretty fun for folded paper sculptures!
I just LOVE the way they look, and the story is compelling enough to work on my crane collection. Would you aim for making 1000 cranes to test the myth? You know, the first few folded tries may be complicated but after a handful it gets much easier to make them. This video is pretty clear on the process:
I’ve tried this before (making 1000) and have never gotten past 30 or so. With a little pacing, who know… I just might do it this year! Or.. you & I can have them made custom right HERE! xoxo Dana
Hi!
One of my resolutions for 2013 was to fold 1000 white paper cranes, and of today, I have only 10 to go.
I’ve had a lot of time, while folding, to think about my wishes, and still I haven’t decided what I truly want. All I know is that I’ve had a lot of patience while cutting, folding and counting. I hope to keep that patience with me.
WOW! I think that is pretty much the best wish ever- deliberately focusing and creating something with process and patience- come true! You can pretty much do ANYTHING now 😉 Can you send a picture!?
I am making these cranes for my daughters wedding. She showed me how to make one and forgot by the time I got home. This was very helpful. Your dimension was perfect. Thank you very much.
Oh yay! What a lucky daughter! 🙂 xoxo