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Crane birds – Japanese good luck symbol

We, Japanese have a deep connection with crane birds since ancient times.

The beautiful crane birds can be seen in many occasions, such as Japanese old stories, music, paintings, and so on.

Crane birds are not just beautiful but also thankful, as they are symbols of long life, prosperity and a good luck.

In Japanese phrases, we have “crane birds live a thousand years, turtles live a ten thousand years”

Also crane bird’s voice is said to reach to the heaven, as they cry loudly.

When crane birds make a couple, they stay forever and never separate.

So we symbolize crane bird couple as “good married couple”.

Especially at weddings, we use crane birds in many situations, for special wedding kimono pattern, for wedding venue decorations, or on celebratory statement.

As crane birds are grateful good luck symbols, we believe that owning something with crane bird motif will bring us a good luck and a healthy long life.

I love to paint these beautiful birds, crane birds on my hanging scrolls too.

Crane birds Japanese painting art Kakejiku — Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Crane birds Japanese painting Kakejiku art

Extra large Japanese painting art Kakejiku crane bird

Fukuro obi Kakejiku style Japanese painting art Crane bird, Sakura, Koi fish

tiny miniature orizuru — Tiny miniature Orizuru

Orizuru is a crane bird made with Origami.

Origami is Japanese traditional paper art and kids activities.

It is said to be brought to Japan by Buddhist monks around the sixth century, however there is no evidence about this and the origin of Origami is unknown.

The oldest mention of Origami is the poem written by Ihara Saikaku in 1680.

Now “ORIGAMI” is well known in the world.

Orizuru – crane bird made with Origami paper-, is one of the famous Origami art.

In Japan, we use Orizuru in many occasions, such as prayer for health or peace, as crane birds are symbols of a long healthy life and a good fortune.

By making miniature Orizuru and putting it in jewelry, the jewelry becomes good luck charm.