World Tree of Hope decorated with nearly 20,000 origami cranes in downtown San Francisco

The World Tree of Hope is now shining bright at Grace Cathedral in downtown San Francisco.

The tree, unlike any other in the world, is decorated with close to 20,000 origami cranes.

“There’s so many cranes it looks like it’s snow flocked. That’s what’s so amazing,” said Linda Mihara, the tree’s head designer.

Linda Mihara has been the tree’s lead designer since its inception 19 years ago.

Origami is not just a pastime for her, it’s a family tradition.

“I’ve been doing origami since I was 5 years old, and my grandfather wrote two of the first books in English on origami, so origami runs in my blood,” said Mihara.

The tree, a symbol of hope for so many across the globe.

Each origami crane has a handwritten wish on it sent in by people both near and far.

“They come in from all over the world, and we also have some special wishes on the tree from President Obama, Jane Goodall, Hillary Clinton, Courtney Cox, RuPaul, but really it’s the people’s tree,” said Jeff Cotter, the founder and executive director of Rainbow World Fund.

Jeff Cotter, the founder and executive director of Rainbow World Fund, said this year, the tree seems to mean just that much more to so many.

“It feels like a very uncertain time for people. So, I think it’s important that people find what makes them hopeful and also try to connect with their family and communities as much as possible,” said Cotter.

That is exactly what Mihara said the World Tree of Hope is there for, to connect people across oceans and divides and to show the power of a simple act like folding origami.

“For me, when I see it, I reflect on all the years that I’ve been involved with it, and at the end of each year when I see the tree, I think about continuing and just loving the fact that everyone is celebrating folding origami,” said Mihara.