An ancient Japanese legend promises that if anyone folds a thousand paper cranes they will be granted a wish by the gods. And as a symbol of hope, the Manitoba Buddhist Temple is asking for your help to make 1000 origami cranes - wishing for peace, understanding, and support for all those suffering from racism and other forms of discrimination.

The Japanese name for the origami crane is called “Orizuru” which means “Folded crane.” In Japan the crane is said to live for 1,000 years which is why one must fold 1,000 of them. The origami crane’s popularity is largely due to a children’s book written by Canadian author, Eleanor Coerr called “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.”

The story follows a Japanese girl name Sadako who was 2 years old when the United States bombed Japan at the end of World War II. Due to the fall-out from the bombs, Sadako developed leukaemia. In the hospital, she spent her time folding origami cranes hoping to make 1,000 of them.

According to Sadako’s family she managed to fold approximately 1,400 paper cranes before dying on the morning of October 25, 1955. Many of these cranes have been donated to places such as the 9-11 memorial in New York City, Pearl Harbour, the Museum of Tolerance and more places as a symbol of peace.



Folding a crane is actually not too difficult. All you need is a single square sheet of paper.

Once completed, the cranes will be put on display at locations throughout the city of Winnipeg.

For more information, contact Sensei Tanis Moore of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple.
tanismoo@gmail.com

source: https://origami.me/