Cranes in Chinese Culture

\松鹤延年 (song he yan nian) "live as long as pines and cranes"

For thousands of years, the crane has been an important cultural symbol in Asia, representing health, long life, good luck and courage. Because the crane is believed to mate for life and lives for many years (in the wild a crane can live 20-30 years), it is also a symbol of a happy marriage. In China and Vietnam, the crane has been viewed as a messenger of the gods, which carries the souls of the dead to heaven or paradise after death. Cranes also are widely depicted in Chinese art and literature, appearing on ceramics, prints and textiles, and are the subjects of many poems and stories. Modern symbolism of the crane in Asia reflects the continuing importance of the crane throughout the region. The crane is the symbol for many commercial products and is a modern symbol of happiness and peace in Asia. In China, the government is considering naming the Red-crowned Crane, like the Bald Eagle in the United States, as the national bird. Did you know...during the last Imperial Dynasty in China (Qing Dynasty 1644-1912), the highest ranking civil official was symbolized by the crane.