Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding into 3D shapes.  The most commonly folded shape is that of the Crane (Tsuru).  In Japan, cranes (who pair for life) are a symbol of honour and loyalty, and are also associated with good fortune and longevity. 

The story of Sadako Sasaki and her friends led to the Origami crane (Orizuru) becoming a symbol of  international peace. According to one Japanese legend, a person who folds 1,000 cranes will be granted his or her greatest wish. Sadako was a young Japanese girl, a survivor of the Hiroshima Nuclear bomb, who became sick with Leukaemia in 1955.  She attempted to fold 1000 cranes but died 356 short of her target, though her school friends went on to complete the 1000 for her.

 

The frog is another popular Origami animal shape. The Japanese word for frog, 'Kaeru' also means 'to return' and for this reason, frogs are considered lucky charms in Japan. For example, a traveller is given a frog charm to take on his journey to help him return safely and having a frog charm attached to your purse will help the money come back to it!