How To Fold Origami

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding that has been popular for centuries. It’s a creative and meditative activity that requires patience and skill to master. With just a piece of paper and some basic folds, you can create all sorts of animals, flowers, and other shapes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to create some simple origami projects.

To begin, choose a square piece of paper. It’s best to start with a larger size, such as 8×8 inches or larger, as this will make it easier to fold and handle. If you don’t have square paper, you can make one by folding the corners of a rectangular piece of paper to meet each other and then cutting off the excess paper.

The first fold we’ll make is the basic fold, also known as the valley fold. This is where you fold the paper in half, creasing it down the center. Open up the paper and fold it in half the other way, creasing it again down the center. This creates a cross-shaped crease in the center of the paper.

Next, we’ll make the mountain fold. This is where you fold the paper in half, but instead of folding it so that the crease is on the outside, you fold it so that the crease is on the inside. This creates a raised “mountain” shape in the center of the paper.

Now, we can start creating some simple origami shapes. Let’s start with the classic origami crane. Begin with a square piece of paper and follow these steps:

1. Fold the paper in half diagonally, crease it, and then unfold it.
2. Fold the paper in half diagonally the other way, crease it, and then unfold it.
3. Fold the paper in half vertically, crease it, and then unfold it.
4. Fold the paper in half horizontally, crease it, and then unfold it.
5. Bring the top corner of the paper down to the center crease, crease it, and then unfold it.
6. Bring the bottom corner of the paper up to the center crease, crease it, and then unfold it.
7. Fold the top corner of the paper down to the crease you just made, crease it, and then unfold it.
8. Do the same with the bottom corner of the paper.
9. Bring the top corner of the paper down to the crease you just made, crease it, and then leave it folded.
10. Do the same with the bottom corner of the paper.
11. Fold the paper in half along the center crease you made in step 3.
12. Lift up the top layer of paper on one side and bring it up to the center crease, crease it, and then unfold it.
13. Do the same on the other side.
14. Bring the top layer of paper down, creasing along the existing creases to form a “diamond” shape.
15. Fold the top corner of the diamond down to the bottom corner, crease it, and then unfold it.
16. Do the same with the left corner and right corner of the diamond.
17. Fold the top layer of paper down along the creases you just made to create the head of the crane.
18. Fold the wings down along the creases you made in step 12 and 13.

Congratulations, you’ve made an origami crane! Keep practicing and experimenting with different folds and shapes to create your own unique origami creations.

Origami is not only a fun and creative activity, but it also has many benefits. It helps improve hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and concentration. It’s also a great way to relieve stress and promote relaxation, making it a popular therapeutic activity for people of all ages.

Additionally, origami can be used as a teaching tool for geometry and spatial reasoning, as well as a cultural learning experience for those interested in Japanese art and traditions. Overall, origami is a versatile and enjoyable activity with numerous benefits for both the mind and the soul.