Peace Cranes Concept, Design and Artists: Naushad Shaikh, Donna Mayne, Andrea Milne, Paul Mazak © 2004 Located at 1022 Wyandotte Street East, this three-dimensional mural utilizes the Japanese art of origami to convey a message of peace and harmony. According to Japanese legend, if you fold a thousand paper cranes you will be granted a wish. Sadoka Sasaki, an 11-year-old Japanese girl who developed leukemia after the bombing of Hiroshima, tried to follow the ancient tradition in hope of getting well. But after folding 644 paper cranes, according to one story, she succumbed to her illness. Her schoolmates then folded 356 cranes, which were buried with her. Today the paper crane is an internationally recognized symbol of peace and hope. In the mural, light shines through the clouds as the cranes fly across the sky, carrying with them The Harmony Ribbon. The ribbon was originally designed by The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County to be worn as a sign of support for a harmonious society that is multi-racial, multi-faith and multi-ethnic. The red roses symbolize love, respect and courage. The Wyandotte Towne Centre Mural project is funded in part by The Government of Canada with support from the Wyandotte Towne Centre Business Association and the City of Windsor. |