Depicted as strong yet graceful, the crane is a traditional symbol of love in Japan. Since the elegant bird mates for life, it is a popular motif in weddings, often imprinted on wedding invitations and embroidered onto the marriage kimono or obi to represent honor, fidelity and harmony.

Japanese lore holds that the crane is one of three holy creatures that can live for 1,000 years. After folding 1,000 origami paper cranes, one for each year of its life, the majestic "bird of happiness" is able to carry that person's prayers to heaven.

 Senbazuru has been an integral part of the culture for centuries, with the first instructional book, "How to Fold 1,000 Cranes," released in 1797. 

A Japanese-American Tradition

Japanese Americans have adopted the Senbazuru into their wedding celebrations as a way to bestow blessings for a long, harmonious marriage. The custom is especially strong in Hawaii, where nearly 17 percent of the population is Japanese, making the community the second largest ethnic group on the tropical islands. According to local legend, making one more crane seals in the blessing, similar to the American tradition of placing an extra candle on a birthday cake for good luck throughout the year. 

A Labor of Love

Although the crane is one of the easiest origami projects to learn, folding 1,000 miniature paper birds is an intensive task. Professional crane makers spend at least two months on one project, while novice brides report investing more than 100 hours over six months. It is important to plan early if you want to incorporate the 1,000 cranes into your wedding décor.

 

The person who makes the birds has evolved over time. The duty was initially assigned to the father of the bride, who presented the bundle of cranes to the couple during the marriage ceremony. Later, it became the responsibility of the bride as a way to develop her patience and demonstrate her commitment to the marriage. Today, entire families gather to help assemble the birds, blessing the project with even more luck for the couple's successful future. 

Couples also work together to build their wedding cranes. Along the way, they learn how to communicate, support each other through a challenging task and strengthen their compatibility, qualities that are vital for a marriage to thrive. 

Constructing the Wedding Cranes

Any type of 3" x 3" sized paper can be used to construct the cranes. Many people cut their own squares from reams of paper, newspapers or magazines. Pre-cut paper packets can be purchased from vendors at a wide array of prices, starting around $100. Professional crane folders can charge up to $2,000 for the entire project. 

The color of wealth, gold foil is the most popular paper choice, although patterned pattern and other solid colors are common. You can use just one color to complement your wedding theme or combine a cheerful array of rainbow-inspired cranes. Special meanings are assigned to specific shades: 

• Red: Endless Love
• White: Purity of Heart
• Green: Long Health
• Yellow: Overflowing Creativity
• Blue: Unwavering Loyalty
• Purple: Deepened Spirituality

Continued: Transforming Japanese Wedding Cranes into Majestic Works of Art