Orizuru facts for kids
An orizuru (pronounced oh-ree-zoo-roo) is a famous Japanese paper crane. It's a classic example of origami, which is the art of paper folding. The word "orizuru" comes from two Japanese words: ori, meaning "folded," and tsuru, meaning "crane."
The red paper crane is very special in Japan. It represents the red-crowned crane, a beautiful bird that is important in Japanese culture. You often see paper cranes used as decorations, like on restaurant tables.
Sometimes, people make a thousand paper cranes and string them together. This collection is called a Senbazuru (pronounced sen-bah-zoo-roo), which means "thousand cranes."
What is an Orizuru?
An orizuru is a traditional Japanese paper crane. It is one of the most well-known shapes in origami, the art of folding paper into different figures. People make orizuru by carefully folding a single sheet of paper without cutting or gluing it.
This paper crane is a symbol of peace and hope. It is also a popular design for people learning origami. Many different types of paper can be used to make an orizuru.
The Meaning of the Crane
In Japanese culture, the crane is a very important bird. It is believed to live for a thousand years and is a symbol of good luck, long life, and happiness. Because of this, the paper crane (orizuru) has become a powerful symbol.
The red-crowned crane, a real bird, is especially honored in Japan. The red paper crane represents this special bird. People often give paper cranes as gifts to wish someone well or to show their support.
Senbazuru: A Thousand Cranes
A Senbazuru is a group of one thousand paper cranes strung together. Making a Senbazuru is a big project that takes a lot of time and patience. It is often done for special reasons.
People might make a Senbazuru to wish for someone's recovery from illness. It can also be a symbol of peace, especially after sad events. Each crane represents a wish or a prayer.
The tradition of making a thousand cranes is very old. It shows how important the crane is in Japanese beliefs.
Images for kids
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Renzuru, "HYAKKAKU (One hundred cranes)" in the Hiden Senbazuru Orikata
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