Japanese wedding tradition is to fold 1,001 paper origami cranes, or tsuru, before marriage to symbolize a lifetime of happiness and good fortune. I’ve also heard that the purpose is to teach the bride patience before she enters into marriage, although I believe this may be a more modern interpretation of the tradition. Traditionally, the bride will fold 1,000 cranes by herself and her groom will fold the last to make 1,001.

A typical wedding crane is folded from gold origami paper. / Image via Stacie Tamaki
Cranes in general, and particularly the red crown crane, are important in Japanese culture because they are said to live 1,000 years. They can be found throughout Japanese wedding décor, usually on traditional wedding kimono. Side note: According to Wikipedia, kimono is literally translated as “thing to wear.”
Traditional Japanese wedding kimono—you can ever so slightly see the crane embroidered on her lap. / Image via Wikipedia
Since folding 1,000 cranes by hand out of tiny two-inch origami paper is an arduous task, many modern day Japanese brides are assisted by their bridesmaids, friends, and family.

Step-by-step instructions on how to fold an origami crane—after step 16, repeat x 1,000. / Image via Manny Cantor Center
I am a glutton for punishment, so I will be folding all 1,000 cranes myself; Mr. Eel will fold the 1,001st crane as per traditional Japanese custom. I have until the end of June to finish folding all 1,000 cranes ...