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Learning Can Be Fun! <br /> Exploring Symbolism <br /> Animals <br /> According to Japanese legend,cranes live 1,000 years,and if one folds 1,000 cranes,one will <br /> enjoy health and good luck.The crane is a symbol of longevity, happiness,good luck and <br /> peace. Many cultures assign symbolic meaning to animals. In Japan,a fish symbolizes happi- <br /> ness,well being,freedom,strength,courage and determination. Rabbits are associated with <br /> fertility and rebirth.Japanese dragons are symbols of power,wisdom, mastery and success, <br /> although they have a less positive reputation in the West. Frogs are symbols of good fortune <br /> and help ensure a safe return from journeys.Turtles are symbols of longevity and protection, <br /> and they unite Heaven and Earth.Cats represent independence, mystery and balance.Llamas <br /> exhibit endurance in difficult situations, responsibility and hard work. <br /> Think of some other animals and what they symbolize,for example an eagle, bear, lion, <br /> mouse,wolf, raven or owl. Different cultures may attribute somewhat different characteristics to animal symbols. <br /> Can you think of an animal body part associated with good luck in the U.S.? <br /> Pick a quality that is important to you(e.g.,courage, honor,strength, humility, honesty, kindness, integrity)and pick <br /> an animal that could symbolize it. Create this animal by drawing it, making a collage to picture it,or write an essay <br /> describing the animal and why you have chosen it to symbolize this quality. <br /> Animal symbolism information in part courtesy of http://thepapercraneorigami.com/animal-symbolism <br /> Peace Symbols <br /> The internationally recognized peace symbol at the right was designed in 1958 by Gerald Hol- <br /> tom,a design student and nuclear disarmament activist from England. It combines the sema- <br /> phore letters"N"(flags extended down at the sides)and "D"(one flag held over the head and <br /> one below the waist in a straight line), representing"nuclear disarmament."The circle repre- <br /> sents the world. <br /> There are many other possible symbols for peace.Think about other representations of peace <br /> you know such as a dove,an olive branch,etc. Think about what peace means to you and <br /> how you might achieve it. <br /> Next,design your own peace symbol and write a brief description of why you have used the elements you have cho- <br /> sen to represent peace. Is there a reason why you chose particular colors? <br /> At the foot of the Peace Memorial in honor of Sadako and other children who died as a result of the bombing of <br /> Hiroshima,there is a plaque that reads:"This is our cry.This is our prayer. Peace in the world."The memorial was <br /> dedicated on Children's Day, May 5, 1958.The statue depicts Sadako holding a golden crane in her outstretched <br /> arms. <br /> What inscription would you place on a peace memorial?What would you say to people to try to encourage them to <br /> preserve peace and live in harmony with others? <br /> Peace symbol information in part courtesy of www.planetpals.com/IKC/isongs.htmi <br /> 2 <br /> The Marcia P.Hoffman Performing Arts Institute,All Rights Reserved 2011 <br />