If not, you're not alone - neither had I until a few weeks ago. According to Japanese lore, the practice of a man and woman folding 1,000 cranes for their wedding is called sembazuru. Truly a labor of love, the time and energy the couple puts into hand-folding the origami cranes is said to symbolize the patience and trust necessary to sustain a happy marriage. Cranes are associated with fidelity because they (like lobsters) mate for life. Completing the tradition is said to bring the couple good fortune.
Okay, sounds great! But let's say you actually do fold 1,000 paper cranes....what do you do with them?
The possibilities are endless:
Ummmm can you say breathtaking?! And apparently after your wedding, there are a number of places you can donate your paper cranes so that they go toward a good cause. The Wedding Co. is donating 50 cents per crane donated toward cancer research (but only for another couple weeks it looks like...boo), or you can send them to the Hiroshima Peace Park, a children's monument where the cranes symbolize countless wishes for peace from all around the world. Gotta like that.
Hopefully I can get B on board with undertaking this project. I love all the symbolism, as well as the spectacular effect 1,000 paper cranes could make to our wedding decor.
Are you incorporating any traditions from other cultures into your own wedding? Share them in the comments below!
Gorgeousness... I think I recently posted one of those pictures on my own blog. I love the effect of hanging 1000 paper cranes... When I was a teacher I had a friend who had her students make a 1000 paper cranes to donate to a hospital and it was really a labor of love. I can't wait to see how they turn out... What colors are you gonna use?
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