鶴(つる)

鶴(つる) refers to cranes, particularly associated with the red-crowned crane (丹頂鶴(たんちょうづる)).

Common expressions:

• 千羽鶴(せんばづる) (thousand paper cranes - folded for wishes/recovery)
• 折(お)り鶴(づる) (origami crane)
• 鶴(つる)の一声(ひとこえ) (the voice of authority; a decisive word from the top)
• 鶴(つる)は千年(せんねん)、亀(かめ)は万年(まんねん) (cranes live 1,000 years, turtles 10,000 years - wishes for longevity)

Counter: 羽(わ)

Cultural note:
The 丹頂鶴(たんちょうづる) (red-crowned crane) is a national symbol of Japan and appears on the logo of Japan Airlines. 千羽鶴(せんばづる) became internationally known through the story of Sadako Sasaki, who folded paper cranes while hospitalized after the Hiroshima bombing. Cranes symbolize longevity, good fortune, and fidelity.