Paper crane meaning. The tragic fate of a girl from Hiroshima: How the Japanese legend of a thousand paper cranes made the whole world empathize
The culture of the East is so original and multifaceted that it could not help but be reflected in the art of body painting. Origami tattoos are rare, so the owner of such a design is an extraordinary and deep person. What else can images of paper figures tell about and what can be said about the symbolic meaning of the images?
How the art of origami originated
Origami means "folded paper" in Japanese and is an ancient form of decorative art. Its essence is to fold the figure using one sheet of paper, without holding it together with glue. Japan is considered the birthplace of origami, although in fact the ancestors are the Chinese. In the Land of the Rising Sun, samurai gave each other crafts as a sign of strong friendship. Here they also came up with special symbols that were used in the development of circuits.
Paper was first invented in China, and the art became popular among the nobility and the upper echelons of society. Origami had religious roots and was often used in rituals. In Europe, there were similar techniques for folding paper figures, but the diagrams were not presented in as much detail as in the East.
Popular tattoo images
An origami-style tattoo in the modern art of body painting means inner harmony, the beauty of nature and a philosophical attitude towards life. It is suitable for both men and the fair sex, who are characterized by imagination and perseverance. Similar tattoos can often be seen among fans of Eastern culture.
The meaning of an origami tattoo depends on the image of a particular figure that carries a certain symbolic meaning. Let's take a closer look at the most common images.
- A crane tattoo symbolizes good health, goodness and happiness. This is one of the brightest and most revered images of Japanese mythology. According to legend, the crane took the form of a nomadic monk and helped people.
- An origami tattoo with a swan figurine is associated with immortality and the infinity of life. Like the crane, the bird helped the human soul leave the earthly world after death.
- Two butterflies represent family life, and one is considered a negative image, meaning excessive fussiness.
- The fox symbolizes power, mystical knowledge and strength.
- The rabbit figurine is a dual image. On the one hand, it means luck and good fortune, and on the other, debauchery and indecent behavior.
Execution technique
The “paper” style in body painting is organically combined with other styles. For example, origami tattoo designs look original in linework style. They are distinguished by brevity, clear geometric lines, and the predominance of one color. It is better to make such designs in a small size, then they will look beautiful on the wrist, arm or stomach.
Tattoos in the watercolor style attract with their airiness and tenderness, and the composition resembles a drawing with watercolors. A distinctive feature of the technique is the predominance of pastel colors and blurred contours. Watercolor is mainly preferred by girls, since the drawing emphasizes their femininity.
In Japan, there are many beautiful legends associated with wildlife. Identifying animals, birds, trees with the best human qualities, the Japanese created their own unique culture, where every object or action has meaning. A whole galaxy of legends are associated with the crane, so the history of the Japanese crane is extremely interesting.
The meaning of cranes in Japanese mythology
Japanese cranes are one of the most beautiful and graceful birds. It grows up to one and a half meters and personifies grace and elegance. It is believed that the crane is a person, and the Japanese refer to these birds as an honorable citizen. According to some beliefs, cranes can take the form of people, in particular monks. Snow-white, it has only a red head and black feathers in the tail and wings.
Paying tribute to the nobility of these birds, whose numbers are declining, the Japanese equip them with the following image:
- Houseware;
- dishes;
- decorations;
- emblems;
- stamps.
For the Japanese, this bird symbolizes longevity and hope. Origami in the form of a crane is known all over the world. Japanese paper cranes have a special history. They began to fold them back in medieval times, investing in the craft a deep meaning of wishes for longevity.
The name of the crane in Japanese has the symbol of a turtle in its hieroglyph, which gave it such an interpretation. There is a legend about a crane that was saved by a young man. The crane turned into a beautiful girl. She married this young man and sewed magnificent fabrics from her feathers. But when her husband spied on her, the girl turned into a bird again and flew away. This symbolizes the independence of the cranes. 
Externally, the origami crane is very simple and the technology of folding it can be done not only by the Japanese. The simple paper design clearly highlights the main feature of the crane – its long, flexible neck.
The Japanese believe that if you fold a thousand of these origami, your wish will certainly come true, and the patient can be healed. Not so long ago, another meaning penetrated into the symbolism of the crane - a symbol of peace.
New meaning of the red-crowned crane
Today, the Japanese crane is better known not so much for its origami as for its song. The song "Japanese Crane" tells about an amazing story that happened during World War II.
After surviving the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the girl Sadako Sasaki received radiation sickness. The belief that by collecting a thousand origami she could recover, the girl made flexible necks of cranes out of paper. She managed to fold all 643 cranes, dying at the age of 14. In the last years of her life, the girl folded origami from any scraps of paper that came to her hand.
The song about the paper crane is written about this sad story. It talks about the difficult fate of a girl and the symbol of hope that is embedded in origami. The story of that girl is world famous; there is a monument dedicated to her in Japan. The history of the Japanese crane is multifaceted and carries deep meaning.
Even despite serious measures to preserve the species, they have not helped to effectively conserve the birds. However, the Japanese are very sensitive to the majestic crane, which symbolizes such significant health, longevity, faith, and peace. Many legends and beliefs are associated with the Japanese crane, but after the story of the girl from Hiroshima, the crane became a symbol of faith and longevity.
However, now the crane itself needs protection, so the irony of fate - the symbol of health itself is on the verge of extinction - requires increased attention to solving this problem, to which the Japanese devote a lot of effort.
Video: Making an origami crane
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The crane depicted in the tattoo means longevity, wisdom, honor and loyalty. The Japanese assigned this meaning to this bird. In China they believe that it is associated with immortality. The Greeks tend to associate the crane with purity and the thirst for immortality. Europeans endow the crane with the ability to symbolize independence and homeliness.
The meaning of a crane tattoo is prosperity and a prosperous life. He was always given honor, since they were confident that the gods used him to broadcast their coming.
A girl who decorates her body with it is the personification of innocence. With this image she wants to show how much she loves her parents' home. It is very important for the man who owns this tattoo to have fearlessness and courage.
In a drawing, this bird can also carry a negative meaning. India endowed the crane with the ability to betray. She was perceived as a harbinger of accidents.
Many cultures believe that the crane represents justice. It is associated with a long life path and spiritual integrity. Some tattoo owners apply an image of a crane, pursuing their own goals and assigning their own individual meaning to it.
Nowadays, the legend that cranes made of paper can make a wish come true is known all over the world. But few remember the tragic circumstances under which this legend became publicly known. The atomic bombing of Hiroshima in August 1945 affected tens of thousands of Japanese, including a little girl whose symptoms did not appear until 9 years later. The legend of a thousand paper cranes was her last hope - like many Japanese, she believed that they could fulfill her deepest desire...
When the United States dropped the first atomic bomb in human history on Hiroshima, Sadako Sasaki was only 2 years old. The epicenter of the explosion was two kilometers from her house; the shock wave threw her out of the window, but the girl did not receive any visible injuries. Signs of radiation sickness appeared in her only 9 years later. One day, during a school relay race, Sadako felt unwell, then attacks of dizziness and severe fatigue began to recur more and more often. During a medical examination, it turned out that Sadako had leukemia (blood cancer).
In February 1955, the girl was hospitalized. The doctors' forecasts were disappointing - she had no more than a year to live. Friends often visited her in the hospital, and one day one of them reminded her of an ancient Japanese legend that a thousand paper cranes can bring healing even to a seriously ill person. The fact is that since ancient times the crane in Japan has been considered a symbol of longevity, happiness and selfless help. Even in the Middle Ages, the tradition of making origami - paper figures - became very widespread. One of the simplest was the “tsuru” - crane, since folding it required few operations. Later, a belief arose: if you make a wish and add a thousand tsuru, it will certainly come true.
The legend was interpreted in different ways, calling the crane both a symbol of longevity, and simply a fulfiller of any desires: “ If you fold a thousand paper cranes with love and care, give them to others, and receive a thousand smiles in return, all your wishes will come true" Sadako believed in this legend, a thousand paper cranes became her last hope for healing. According to one version, she managed to collect much more than a thousand cranes; later a legend was born that she only managed to make 644 cranes, since the girl’s strength left her too quickly. On October 25, 1955, Sadako Sasaki died, but her friends completed the paper cranes after her death, and many more than a thousand cranes gathered for her funeral.
Soon the story of the little Japanese woman became known throughout the world. People were amazed by her patience, courage and undying hope. Her name, like the paper crane itself, became a symbol of the struggle for peace and a constant reminder of the terrible consequences of a nuclear explosion. People from all over Japan began to raise funds to erect a monument in memory of Sadako and all those who died after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
In 1958, a monument depicting Sadako holding a paper crane was erected in the Peace Park in Hiroshima. On the pedestal was written: “This is our cry. This is our prayer. World peace". A monument to the girl also appeared in Peace Park in Seattle (USA). In 1995, the Sadako Peace Garden was opened in Santa Barbara (California, USA). The tragic fate of a little Japanese girl inspired poets, directors, artists and sculptors from all over the world. Sadako’s story became the basis for the plot of the film “Hello, Children!”, filmed in 1962 in the USSR. In 1969, Rasul Gamzatov wrote the poem “Cranes”, which became the text of the song of the same name. Eleanor Coher wrote the book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” in 1977, which was published in 18 countries, and a film was made based on it in the USA.
And today, debate continues about how justified the US actions were in 1945. Many historians believe that the issue of Japan’s surrender was resolved, there was no military need to accelerate events, and the United States carried out bombings for the sole purpose of demonstrating its nuclear power . , do not let us forget about its consequences for all humanity.
A friend told me... yes, everyone has read this legend, but still...
In Japan, paper cranes are considered a symbol of good luck and longevity.
There is a tradition based on a beautiful legend: “If you fold a thousand paper cranes with love and care, give them to those around you, and receive a thousand smiles in return, all your wishes will come true.”
Japanese girl Sadako Sasaki (January 7, 1943 - October 25, 1955), irradiated during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Her house was located a mile from the explosion, yet outwardly she continued to grow up as a healthy child. Signs of the disease appeared in November 1954, on February 18, 1955 he was diagnosed with leukemia, and on February 21 he was admitted to the hospital. According to doctors' forecasts, she had no more than a year to live. On August 3, 1955, her best friend Chizuko Hamamoto brought her a piece of golden paper and folded it into a crane, recalling the Japanese belief that a person who folds a thousand paper cranes will have his wish come true.
The legend influenced Sadako, and she began to fold cranes from any pieces of paper that fell into her hands. According to the legend from the book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes”, she managed to make only 644 cranes. Her friends finished their work and Sadako was buried along with a thousand paper cranes.
A monument was built in memory of Sadako and all the other children who died from the atomic bombing. Young people from all over Japan raised funds for this project, and in 1958 a statue depicting Sadako holding a paper crane was erected in the Peace Park in Hiroshima. On the pedestal of the statue is written: “This is our cry. This is our prayer. World peace". The little courageous girl became a symbol of rejection of nuclear war, a symbol of protest against war.
In 1990, a monument to Sadako was erected in Peace Park in Seattle (USA), in 1995 - a Children's Peace Statue in Santa Fe (USA, New Mexico - the bomb dropped on Hiroshima was made in this state; the statue in Santa Fe - "sister" of the Hiroshima Children's Memorial), in the same year the Sadako Peace Garden was opened in Santa Barbara with a stone engraved with a crane. In 2000, a monument to a golden paper crane was erected near Sadako's school in Hiroshima.
It is believed that 10 thousand paper cranes will save one life.
Cranes are a symbol of purity, happiness, honesty, and readiness for selfless help. The Japanese called cranes “people in feathers,” and called the bird “the Honorable Mr. Crane.” The Japanese crane is the hero of many fairy tales and legends. For the Japanese, the crane symbolizes longevity and prosperity. Strangely united into one hieroglyph with the tsurukame turtle, the crane became a wish for long life. The crane also symbolizes hope. It is believed that if you make a thousand sembazuru paper cranes, your wishes will come true and even a serious illness will recede.
Tsuru werewolf cranes in Japanese mythology, which quite rarely turn into people, in human form are very kind, sweet, beautiful creatures with an all-understanding look. They often take the form of wandering monks and travel in search of those in need of their help. They hate violence.
Everywhere in Japan there is a legend about a wounded crane that turned into a beautiful girl who married the young man who saved her. The girl turned out to be an excellent weaver. In the form of a crane, she wove amazing fabrics from her feathers, closing herself off from everyone in the room. When her husband spied on her, she became a bird again and flew away.
It is believed that if cranes turn into people, they often take the form of wandering monks and travel in search of those who need their help.
for those who are too lazy to look. This is how they are assembled:
