I know that an ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. This summation, or something like it comes up in every search I do for the legend. Is there a full story that goes with the original legend? If so I would very much like to read it. Wikipedia doesn't have it. Also, while Sadako's story is very touching, it is not the one I'm looking for.
Well, I read that cranes are symbolic because they are thought as legendary creatures who can live to 1000 years. They apparently have a lot of faith, for they mate only once in that time, and patience. So, that's why it's said that if one can fold 1,000 cranes, 1 crane for 1 year a crane lives, then they will be granted a wish, because they have shown great perseverance and faith in order to stay till the end to fold a thousand cranes. Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I saw this online while searching up the symbolism of origami cranes. And I know that I am late by 6 years.
It okorder / I'll keep looking and see if I can find out an origin and add a bit more later.
We just finished learning about this in school. It goes back really far, but this is what i know of. A long time ago when heroshima, the atom bomb hit, there were only few survivors. one little girl, i dont remeber her name, was told she was going to die. he heard an old legend that if someone were to fold 1000 paper cranes in one year, they would recive a wish that would come true. The littl girl started folding paper cranes so she could wish that she would live and everyone would have world peace. She sadly died before she was able to fold all 1000 cranes, but ever since a paper crane was a symbol of peace. She has a statue in japan and every year they recive thousands of paper cranes made from children around the world that they hang on her statue.
