Origami Cranes
Origami cranes are more than a beautiful art form; they can have powerful symbolic significance. The crane, considered sacred in Japanese culture, is fabled to live for a thousand years, embodying longevity and good fortune. The tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes, or “senbazuru,” is thought to grant the origami folder a wish such as long life or recovery from illness. This tradition spread worldwide through the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl afflicted by leukemia caused by radiation from the Hiroshima bombing, who sought to fold 1,000 cranes to wish for recovery. Her story transformed the origami crane into a global symbol of peace and hope.
In the context of memorials, origami cranes have come to represent not only a gesture of remembrance but also one of collective healing and peace. They are often used at sites of tragic losses, where people leave chains of cranes as tributes. This use of origami cranes has been seen around the world following tragedies, reflecting a universal desire to express solidarity and compassion. These delicate paper figures serve as poignant reminders of the lives lost, while promoting a message of peace and unity in the face of violence and grief.
Here in Isla Vista, the Nikkei Student Union led members of the community in folding origami cranes to memorialize the students lost in the tragic events of May 23, 2014. Thousands of paper cranes hung in public spaces and gatherings not only honored the victims, but also offered a symbol of the community’s collective mourning and resilience. This act of remembrance through origami cranes helped the community bind together, discovering a shared path toward healing in the wake of unspeakable loss.
Ten years later as we honor the lives lost in 2014, we continue to build strength and move forward as a community. Origami folding stations will be set up along Memorial Walk from May 27 to May 31, 2024. Joining in this tradition of folding a crane is an opportunity to express compassion and identify with our Isla Vista and UCSB community. A crane display in the SRB showcases the origami art made in 2017 alongside additional origami crane folding stations to usher in a new generation of wishers.
Starry Night & Isla Vista Landscape
“I do not think of political power as an end. Neither do I think of economic power as an end. They are ingredients in the objective that we seek in life. And I think that end of that objective is a truly brotherly society, the creation of the beloved community.” – Dr. Martin Luther King
Luminarias
Throughout history, luminarias have been symbolic beacons of light amidst darkness. Their origin traces back to Hispanic traditions, and initially these displays, also known as “farolitos” guided paths during religious festivities. The significance of these simple paper bags filled with sand and illuminated by candles expanded over time far beyond their cultural roots. As representations of light and of a path to follow, luminaries are powerful emblems of hope and of solidarity along a shared journey. In this year’s memorial, our luminarias take on yet another profound meaning, casting gentle radiance symbolizing resilience and unity in the face of adversity. Each flickering flame is not alone, but part of many alight at the same time. The presence of many flames represents a collective commitment to finding light amidst the shadows, guiding our community toward healing and renewal.
Blue LEDs
Source: @bluniteiv on X
At the heart of this 10-year memorial for the Isla Vista shooting tragedy is a poignant homegrown homage to innovation, remembrance, and community resilience– the recurring motif of blue LEDs. These luminous symbols have significance unique to UCSB, since their origin is the result of the innovative work of UCSB professor and Nobel Prize winner Shuji Nakamura. Dr. Nakamura invented blue LEDs (“light-emitting diodes”) right here on the university campus, and blue LEDs have been unique to UCSB in their use in past memorials and in community groups like “BlUnite.” Blue LEDs symbolize both the spirit of innovation at UCSB and the powerfully bright enduring legacy of those whose lives were tragically lost. By incorporating blue LEDs into the fabric of this memorial, we pay homage to how groundbreaking advancements made on this campus have gone on to aid and benefit others far beyond the campus. We also honor the victims, as our memories of them continue to be both meaningful and enduring. As these lights combine together to illuminate the path of remembrance, they serve as beacons of hope guiding us toward a future of unity and compassion.