A short piece to tell the tale of the 1000 cranes and what they meant to Sadako Sasaki.
The crane has long been a symbol in Asian cultures representing good health, longevity, truth
and fidelity. The regal, upright carriage of these elegant birds reflects their dignified status as the
noble birds most worthy of serving as messengers to the ancient immortals. According to ancient
Chinese legends, cranes were thought to be “well-behaved like gentlemen, incorruptible and
naturally clean and honest.” To be compared to a crane, then, ranked among the highest
compliments. A respected person was often called “a figure extolled by the crane”; this was
commonly understood to be a refined way of praising someone for being exceptionally honest
and morally upright. Likewise, someone could also be compared to “a crane standing among
chickens,” indicating that person’s special abilities and obvious, comparative superiority.
In the late 1700s in Japan, one of the first books on origami was published with the title, “How to
Fold 1,000 Cranes.” The easy-to-follow directions and beautiful end result ensure the continuing
popularity of the origami crane. When one thinks of the art of Origami, the crane is the
traditional symbol of this art of paper folding. Moreover, the crane’s habit of mating with only
one partner for the duration of its life caused it to become a strong symbol for marital fidelity
and honor. As a result, the origami crane also became a powerful symbol for loyalty, nobility, and
beauty. According to Japanese tradition, anyone with the patience and commitment to fold
1,000 paper cranes will be granted their most desired wish, because they have exhibited the
cranes’ loyalty and recreated their beauty.
Sadako Sasaki also became famous for her own attempt to fold 1,000 cranes in the 1950s. When
Sadako was only two years old, she was exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb dropped on
Hiroshima, in Japan. As she grew up, she developed leukemia. Suffering from the deadly disease,
she learned the ancient tradition about the 1,000 paper cranes. Inspired to follow the legend,
Sadako folded paper cranes in her hospital bed, praying for world peace. Sadako died when she
was only 12, she could finish only 644. As a tribute to Sadako’s life and selfless wishes, her
classmates folded the remaining cranes, and Sadako Sasaki was buried with the full 1,000 cranes.
Her story stands as an inspiration to all, and a testament to the continued power of the paper
crane as a compelling symbol for hope, love, honor, and peace.