Peace Tree at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine

St. John the Divine decorates its tree with 1,000 hand-folded origami cranes, an Asian symbol of longevity and happiness. Inspired by the children's book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, about an 11-year-old atomic-bomb survivor who died of leukemia, the balsam is meant to be a symbol of peace. This year's tree, the 31st, features contributions from people across the globe (in the past, musicians Judy Collins and Paul Winter have lent their own folded ornaments to the display).