WHY ORIGAMI CRANES?

THE LEGEND OF SENBAZURU 

The legend of senbazuru (千羽鶴)—meaning "one thousand cranes"—is an ancient Japanese belief that folding 1,000 origami cranes will grant the folder a wish. This tradition is rooted in the Japanese reverence for cranes (tsuru), which are seen as mystical creatures symbolizing longevity, good fortune, and protection. According to folklore, cranes live for 1,000 years and are believed to carry the prayers of those who seek health, happiness, and peace. 

Traditionally, senbazuru was practiced to bring good luck in times of hardship, especially for those who were ill or facing challenges. The cranes would often be strung together and gifted to loved ones, placed at shrines, or offered as prayers for peace and healing. Over time, this practice became a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and hope, extending beyond personal wishes to larger humanitarian causes. 

The most famous story associated with senbazuru is that of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl from Hiroshima. At just two years old, she was exposed to radiation from the atomic bomb dropped on August 6, 1945. Though she appeared healthy for years, in 1955, at the age of 12, she was diagnosed with leukemia, a common illness among atomic bomb survivors. While hospitalized, Sadako learned of the legend of the 1,000 cranes and began folding cranes from any paper she could find—medicine wrappers, scraps, and gift wrappings from other patients. Some versions of her story say that she folded 644 cranes before passing away, while others claim she surpassed 1,000 but continued folding in hopes of healing others. Despite her determination, Sadako passed away on October 25, 1955.

Deeply moved by her resilience, her classmates and friends continued folding cranes in her honor and raised funds to build a monument dedicated to all children affected by war. In 1958, the Children’s Peace Monument was unveiled in Hiroshima Peace Park, featuring a statue of Sadako holding a golden crane. To this day, people from around the world send thousands of folded cranes to Hiroshima as a symbol of peace, remembrance, and hope.

Sadako’s story transformed the origami crane into a global emblem of resilience and healing, making it a fitting symbol for Hopeful Wings in the fight against human trafficking. Just as Sadako’s cranes carried a message of hope, Hopeful Wings uses the act of folding cranes to spread awareness, advocate for survivors, and inspire action in the fight against trafficking.