Anniversary of the End of the War Coloring Pages

A day of prayer to think about the importance of peace

The Anniversary of the End of the War is on August 15th, and it is the day when the war ended and peace returned. On this day, we pray for the rest of the souls of the many people who died in the war. It is a very important day to think again about how precious peace is.

What qualities and symbols does it have?

Events for the Anniversary of the End of the War hold a strong wish to never start a war again, as well as hope for peace.

• Peace dove: The dove is a symbol of peace all over the world. A dove carrying an olive branch shows that peace has come to the world.
• Floating lanterns: This is an event where people light lanterns at night and float them on rivers or the sea. This is a repose ritual to remember the souls of the people who died in the war and wish for them to sleep in peace.
• Cherry blossoms: Cherry blossoms symbolize the shortness of falling lives and the strong power of life to bloom again. They show the lives that were lost and hope for the future.
• Prayer: Like in the coloring page picture, people wearing kimonos or suits who bow their heads quietly in prayer show a strong promise for peace and thanks to those who died.

How to spend the Anniversary of the End of the War

On this day, it is important to spend time quietly to learn about the sadness of war and make a new promise for peace.

• A moment of silence at noon: At noon in the middle of the day, we close our eyes and pray silently for one minute for everyone who died in the war.
• Peace Memorial Ceremony: Ceremonies are held at Nippon Budokan and in many other places to pass on memories of the war and make a promise for peace.
• Look at war records: It is an important day to look at books or videos about the war, learn about past tragedies, and know that peace is not something we can just take for granted.

How to choose colors: Let's use gentle colors of peace and prayer!

When you color the Anniversary of the End of the War coloring page, combine gentle, soft colors to share wishes for peace with quiet colors to show feelings of remembrance.

• Basic colors: Let's choose mainly white (doves, the moon, and light), light blue and blue (the sky and water), pink (cherry blossoms), and brown and gray (buildings and monuments).

Colors for Each Motif:

• Peace dove: Color the dove mainly white, then add "shadows" to its wings and body with very light gray or light blue. This will make it look pure and 3D!
• Cherry blossoms: Color them gently with light pink to show the beauty of life.
• Lanterns: Use yellow or orange for the lanterns to show their warm light. Color the river and water with dark blue to make the light look magical!
• People's clothes: For the clothes of the people praying, use black or dark gray for suits, or calm colors for kimono. This will create a peaceful and respectful mood.

How to color with depth: Use light and shadow for a solemn feel!

To show the weight of the monument and the way people pray, try to think about "shadows" and "lights." Places in shadow:

• Try adding "shadows" to dark areas that don't get light, like under the steps of the monument, on the people's backs, folds of their kimono, and under the roofs of the buildings! Use a color that is darker than your main color to make it look solemn and grand.

Where the light hits:

• If you color the pigeon's wings, the flame on top of the monument, and the lights of the lanterns on the water in white or bright yellow, you can show the light of hope!

Let's Add Texture!

Colored pencils: For the monument stone, color it evenly with gray to give it a hard texture. If you neatly color each part of the kimono pattern with calm colors, its traditional beauty will stand out.

Hints for enjoying coloring pages!

• Wishes for peace!
  • While you color, wish "May there be peace in the world" and "May no one feel sad," and try coloring with all your heart!
• A night scene!
  • If you color the sky for the floating lanterns drawing in dark blue or black and leave the moon and stars white, you can draw a magical night scene!