The Paper Crane

Everyone knows origami originated in Japan, but many don't know how the paper crane became a symbol for world peace.

It began with Sadako Sasaki. During WW2, when she was only two years old, an atomic bomb was dropped on her home town of Hiroshima. She survived but a decade on she was diagnosed with leukemia. This is when she started to fold paper cranes. She hoped to fold 1000 and be granted one wish, according to a Japanese legend. Her wish was to live, but when she realised she was going to die, she wanted to wish for world peace and an end to suffering. Her story is famous and has been made into books and films, even mentioned in music. It is said Sadako made 644 before she died. Her friends made the rest and had them buried with her.

A memorial of Sadako holding a golden crane was built in Hiroshima Peace Memorial from funds her school friends collected.