Explore the following craft ideas to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
A lei is a colorful wreath worn in Hawaii. Leis can be made of fresh flowers, nuts, seeds, and other plant material. Originally, the lei was meant as an offering to the gods, and now symbolizes friendship, greeting, and love.
Carp streamers, or Koinobori, are traditionally flown in Japan to celebrate Kdomo no hi, a holiday known as Children's Day, celebrated on May 5th.
Cranes are said to live for 1,000 years, which is why folding 1,000 of them brings good luck, happiness, or a single wish. Senbazuru, the tradition of folding a thousand cranes, became popularized by the story of Sadako Sasaki, who folded 1,000 cranes when they found out they had leukemia due to radiation exposure, a result of the US dropping an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Sasaki is also a symbol for the devastating effects of nuclear war.
