#wishforpeace

The Nashville Walls Project has an initiative to paint Music City and breathe art projects into the various neighborhoods throughout the city.  Currently, a group of artists is working on livening up the Elliston Parking Garage with colorful murals and creative flair.  One recent addition to the project is the #wishforpeace mural on Charlotte outside of the Global Education building.

The mural features the #wishforpeace hashtag, as well as a plethora of multi-colored origami cranes originating from a dandelion.  Origami cranes represent peace, and have an inspirational story.  A popular art form in Japan, origami took off in the 16th century when paper use became widespread (although it is thought to date all the way back to the 6th century).  The Japanese believed that cranes lived up to 1,000 years and honored the bird.  The crane represented good luck and longevity.  Japanese legend says if you fold 1,000 cranes (senbazuru) then the gods would grant you a wish.  Paired with dandelions, a flower that will "grant wishes," the mural represents optimism and hope.

After being hit with atomic bombs, Hiroshima and Nagasaki experienced a high death toll and devastation.  While many deaths were immediate, citizens of both cities experienced health issues in the years to come do to extreme exposure to radiation.  Sadako Sadaki survived the atomic bombing as a young toddler, but later developed swollen glands and was diagnosed with leukemia by age 12.  The young girl coped with her suffering by folding paper cranes.  She hoped that by folding 1,000 cranes, her wish to survive would come true.  Sadako, along with other victims of war and suffering, is honored at the Hiroshima Peace Park in Japan.  The park features a statue of Sadako holding an origami crane and serves as a reminder of senseless pain.  School children from all over Japan send in paper crane donations annually.  

This mural, along with origami cranes and Sadako, can teach future generations about past mistakes and inspire us to create a world with a brighter future.