How Did the Origami Crane Become a Symbol for Crush Movement?

At Crush Movement, the origami crane is a symbol of transformation, collective power, and the rebel way we choose to rise, lifting each other.

Origami Cranes are A Symbol of Hope

According to legend, folding 1,000 cranes is said to make dreams come true. 

In Japanese culture, the origami crane is a symbol of peace, hope, and healing. It’s often associated with the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who folded a thousand cranes while suffering from the aftereffects of the Hiroshima bombing, and inspired the entire nation. Her story became a global symbol of the wish for peace, and by extension, for change born from pain.

We can channel this same spirit: turning personal and societal pain into purposeful action.

Instead of complaining about the gender gap, discrimination, and the barriers women face, we can choose to take action, together.

Systemic Transformation

If a flat piece of paper can become a crane, you can transform. And you can create something big even with small resources, especially when we work together. 

But transformation doesn’t happen by chance. It takes intentional, systematic folds. Just like building a more equal world, or building a business success. They require conscious effort, patience, and daily practice.

Folding origami birds isn’t easy. When you fold the first one, you might feel it's impossible to make more. 

No one folds 1,000 cranes alone.
Progress comes from all of us showing up together. A community that works together. 

Movement of Doers, Builders, and bold Thought Leaders. 
 

One crane is strong.
A flock is unstoppable.
 
We rise together, support each other, and amplify our voices.

We don’t wait for permission.

We fly bold, loud, and free, breaking out of the box, challenging traditional roles, and breaking barriers. 

Does this sound like something you want to be part of? 

One Origami Crane At a Time

The first origami crane was posted on our social media on the first of March 2025. 

It wasn't a loud declaration of a new brand element. It was a call to care. 

Caring is a revolutionary act.

Don't let anyone stop you from loving, caring and trying to make unjust world more equal. 

Keep going.

If you are angry and hurt right now, it doesn't mean a lack of love. It means you are just fed up. 

It's rebel to love. 

It's love to fight for what you believe in. 

You are called to rebel together. 

Bringing Origami Cranes to Crush 2025

It probably sounds irrational that we folded all together close to 200 origami cranes to be used in the event decor. We were already lacking time and resources, and then we spent hours folding origami. 

We wanted to show LOVE.

We wanted it to be visible how much love and effort we have put into Crush, and that we will continue doing so. We are unstoppable. 

And sometimes the best you can do is to take a pause from what you are doing, and do something completely different. You can't be scrolling your phone while folding origami. 

In April, we met with  wednesday. student organization at Aalto University. They share our values and mission to increase women's entrepreneurship. We partnered with them to form a "bigger flock" together and introduced the ways their team could volunteer and be part of Crush. In our initial meeting, we made origami birds and shared laughs. 

A huge thanks goes to our event decorator Laura Ryyberg, for bringing it all together. 

Laura created gorgeous flower arrangements, a photo wall, and stage decor with the pink origami cranes. Whatever vision we had, she made it 100 times better. 

Origami Cranes - As Seen On TV

And then, I was invited to be on the morning TV show, and they were interested in hearing the origami story! 

And not just that, but Laura's decorations were so beautiful, they wanted our origami flower arrangements on the set. 

Laura, together with Keru Salumets and Essi Koski-Lammi created the decor backstage and carried it into the studio just minutes away from the live segment. 

The best thing that the origami cranes have already proved to us: when we flock together, magic happens. 

While I was invited to be on the morning TV alone, I was able to bring Isabella, Laura, Essi, and Kertu with me, and their work was the highlight of the segment.

It underlined what the Crush Movement is about: we support each other. When one of us gets the invitation, we ask who else we can bring. When one of us gets the spotlight, we stand in support. 

We all shine individually, and we all push each other up. 

Have We Already Folded 1000 Origami Cranes? 

No. 

It's too many for us.

We need you to join us. 

The point is not that our small team folds the birds, organizes the events, invests our time and money to build Crush Movement. The point is that we should all do this together, and you should get involved. 

The "origami magic" of your dreams coming true will not have anything to do with you unless you actually participate in the work of folding 1000 origami cranes. 

The origami cranes are a metaphor, but also a visual representation of the work we have already done, and the work we continue to do. 

Join Crush Movement now. 

Photos: Tara Alleah Martin, Kristi Leht, Kertu Salumets