I was in Amsterdam for the weekend and it was freezing. I'd underpacked and didn't have a proper sweater, plus it was one of those days where shorts seemed appropriate in the morning, gloves and mittens in the afternoon - so in a frenzy I searched for something warm.<p>There it was, in the window of some boutique .. a sweater composed of two sweaters, cut up, re-assembled so that the colour swaths represented an origami paper crane.<p>Gregarious perhaps (I'm a shy white guy), but warm nevertheless, so I bought it.<p>That one sweater has gotten me more compliments, and random approaches from strangers, than any other device in my life. To the point now that I keep an eye out for the origami paper crane symbol wherever I go, and now have a small collection of badges and embroideries and so on.<p>The world wants peace. The paper crane is a great symbol for that. I've worn that sweater in very hostile environments (Palestine vs. Zionist demonstrations) and have, categorically, made friends on both sides with that symbol, alone.<p>If you haven't learned how to fold one, I highly recommend it. Leaving it for the bar help or waiters always brings a smile ..
On the day that the war in Afghanistan started in 2001, I visited Trafalgar Square with my sister late at night to place a singular paper crane in each of the two pools below the fountains.<p>I have liked paper cranes ever since, hence I commend your crane-themed fashion 'statements'.