Senbazuru　千羽鶴

One thousand paper cranes (cranes origami). The crane (tsuru) has been a symbol of longevity along with the tortoise (kame) for centuries. The former was believed to live for a thousand years, and the latter ten thousand years. In its contemporary sense, the word senbazuru commonly refers to strings of folded-paper cranes. Customarily, one thousand small paper cranes are folded with a prayer wishing for the quick recovery of a sick person. The folded paper cranes are meant to show the maker’s care and concern for the sick person.
When a thousand paper cranes are made, they are tied together with a few strings and presented to the sick person, who hangs them in the room for decoration.