The art of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has been practiced for centuries, creating intricate and beautiful works of art from a single sheet of paper. Among the many origami folds, the origami crane is one of the most recognizable and iconic. As a symbol of hope, peace, and good fortune, the origami crane holds a special place in Japanese culture and has become a symbol of resilience and healing worldwide.
Origami cranes are believed to bring good luck and happiness to those who fold them, and they are often given as gifts or displayed in homes and temples. The origami crane also holds a special significance in Japanese culture as a symbol of peace and hope. During World War II, crane folding became a symbol of hope for peace and healing, and Sadako Sasaki, a young girl who was affected by radiation from the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, folded hundreds of origami cranes in the hope of recovering from her illness.
In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to make an origami crane, so that you can create your own symbol of hope and peace.
make origami crane instructions
To make an origami crane, follow these 9 simple steps:
- Start with a square sheet of paper
- Fold in half diagonally both ways
- Unfold and fold in half both ways
- Unfold and fold in half again
- Fold the bottom corners to the center
- Fold the top corners to the center
- Fold in half again
- Unfold and squash fold
- Fold the wings down and shape the head
Your origami crane is now complete!
Start with a square sheet of paper
The first step in making an origami crane is to start with a square sheet of paper. This can be any color or size you like, but a traditional origami crane is made with a square of washi paper, a thin Japanese paper made from the bark of the gampi tree. If you don’t have washi paper, you can use any other type of thin paper, such as printer paper or origami paper.
To make a square sheet of paper, you can either cut a square from a rectangular piece of paper, or you can fold a rectangular piece of paper in half diagonally both ways and then cut off the excess paper. Once you have a square sheet of paper, you’re ready to start folding your crane.
Here are some tips for choosing the right paper for your origami crane:
- Choose a thin paper that is easy to fold.
- If you are using a patterned paper, make sure that the pattern is symmetrical so that it looks the same on both sides of the crane.
- You can also use different colors of paper to create a more colorful crane.
Fold in half diagonally both ways
Once you have a square sheet of paper, the next step is to fold it in half diagonally both ways.
- Fold from top left to bottom right.
Take the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the bottom right corner. Crease the fold well.
- Unfold.
Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold from top right to bottom left.
Take the top right corner of the paper and fold it down to the bottom left corner. Crease the fold well.
- Unfold.
Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two diagonal crease lines.
Unfold and fold in half both ways
Once you have folded the paper in half diagonally both ways, the next step is to unfold it and then fold it in half both ways.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.
Take the top edge of the paper and fold it down to the bottom edge. Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
- Fold the paper in half from left to right.
Take the left edge of the paper and fold it over to the right edge. Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two horizontal and two vertical crease lines.
These crease lines will help you to fold the paper into the origami crane shape in the next steps.
Unfold and fold in half again
Once you have unfolded the paper and folded it in half both ways, the next step is to unfold it again and then fold it in half again.
- Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.
Take the top edge of the paper and fold it down to the bottom edge. Crease the fold well. - Fold the paper in half from left to right.
Take the left edge of the paper and fold it over to the right edge. Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two horizontal and two vertical crease lines, as well as a new diagonal crease line.
Fold the bottom corners to the center
Once you have unfolded the paper and folded it in half again, the next step is to fold the bottom corners to the center.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Take the bottom left corner of the paper and fold it up to the center crease.
Crease the fold well. - Take the bottom right corner of the paper and fold it up to the center crease.
Crease the fold well. - You should now have a diamond shape.
These folds will help to create the wings of the origami crane in the next steps.
Here are some tips for folding the bottom corners to the center:
- Make sure that the folds are neat and precise.
- Crease the folds well so that they hold their shape.
- If you are having trouble folding the corners, you can use a bone folder or a credit card to help you.
Fold the top corners to the center
Once you have folded the bottom corners to the center, the next step is to fold the top corners to the center.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Take the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the center crease.
Crease the fold well. - Take the top right corner of the paper and fold it down to the center crease.
Crease the fold well. - You should now have a square shape.
These folds will help to create the head and neck of the origami crane in the next steps.
Here are some tips for folding the top corners to the center:
- Make sure that the folds are neat and precise.
- Crease the folds well so that they hold their shape.
- If you are having trouble folding the corners, you can use a bone folder or a credit card to help you.
Fold in half again
Once you have folded the top corners to the center, the next step is to fold the paper in half again.
- Take the top edge of the paper and fold it down to the bottom edge.
Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
- Take the left edge of the paper and fold it over to the right edge.
Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with two horizontal and two vertical crease lines, as well as two diagonal crease lines.
Unfold and squash fold
Once you have folded the paper in half again, the next step is to unfold it and then make a squash fold.
To make a squash fold, follow these steps:
- Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Take the top right corner of the paper and fold it down to the bottom left corner.
Crease the fold well. - Take the bottom left corner of the paper and fold it up to the top right corner.
Crease the fold well. - You should now have a diamond shape.
- Take the top layer of the diamond shape and fold it down to the bottom layer.
Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
You should now have a square piece of paper with a diagonal crease line.
This squash fold will help to create the wings of the origami crane in the next steps.
Fold the wings down and shape the head
Once you have made the squash fold, the next step is to fold the wings down and shape the head.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Take the top layer of the paper and fold it down to the bottom layer.
Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
- Take the right edge of the paper and fold it over to the left edge.
Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
- You should now have a square piece of paper with two horizontal crease lines and a vertical crease line.
- Take the top left corner of the paper and fold it down to the bottom right corner.
Crease the fold well. - Take the bottom left corner of the paper and fold it up to the top right corner.
Crease the fold well. - You should now have a diamond shape.
- Take the top layer of the diamond shape and fold it down to the bottom layer.
Crease the fold well. - Unfold the paper.
- You should now have a square piece of paper with a diagonal crease line.
- Take the top right corner of the paper and fold it down to the bottom left corner.
Crease the fold well. - Take the bottom left corner of the paper and fold it up to the top right corner.
Crease the fold well. - You should now have a diamond shape.
- Take the top layer of the diamond shape and fold it down to the bottom layer.
Crease the fold well. - You should now have a triangle.
- This triangle is the head of the origami crane.
You can now shape the head of the crane by gently pulling on the corners.
FAQ
Have questions about origami? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to help you get started:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer: Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and challenging way to create beautiful and intricate shapes using only a single sheet of paper.
Question 2: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer: Thin, lightweight paper is best for origami. Some popular choices include origami paper, rice paper, and mulberry paper.
Question 3: What are the basic origami folds?
Answer: There are a few basic origami folds that are used to create more complex shapes. These folds include the square fold, the triangle fold, the bird base, and the fish base.
Question 4: How do I learn origami?
Answer: There are many resources available to help you learn origami. You can find books, DVDs, and online tutorials that will teach you the basics of origami.
Question 5: What are some popular origami models?
Answer: Some popular origami models include the crane, the lotus flower, the butterfly, and the dragon.
Question 6: Can I use origami to make gifts?
Answer: Yes, origami can be used to make beautiful and unique gifts. You can fold origami boxes, cards, and ornaments to give to your friends and family.
These are just a few of the many questions that people have about origami. With a little practice, you can learn to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Once you have mastered the basics of origami, you can start experimenting with different folds and techniques to create your own unique origami models.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get started with origami:
Tip 1: Start with simple folds.
Don’t try to start with a complex model if you’re new to origami. Start with simple folds like the square fold, the triangle fold, and the bird base. Once you’ve mastered these basic folds, you can start to learn more complex models.
Tip 2: Use good quality paper.
The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the outcome of your origami model. Choose thin, lightweight paper that is easy to fold. Some popular choices include origami paper, rice paper, and mulberry paper.
Tip 3: Be patient.
Origami can be challenging, but it’s also very rewarding. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Just keep practicing and you’ll eventually be able to create beautiful origami models.
Tip 4: Have fun!
Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress. So put on some music, grab a sheet of paper, and start folding. You’ll be amazed at what you can create.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Start folding today!
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Conclusion
Origami is a beautiful and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can create amazing origami models that will impress your friends and family.
In this article, we provided step-by-step instructions on how to make an origami crane, as well as a FAQ and tips section to help you get started. We also discussed the history and symbolism of the origami crane, and how it has become a symbol of peace and hope around the world.
Whether you’re new to origami or you’re an experienced folder, we hope that this article has inspired you to create your own origami models. Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it’s also a fun and challenging way to express your creativity.
So grab a sheet of paper and start folding! You’ll be amazed at what you can create.
