Origami

📖 In short

Origami is a beautiful Japanese art where a single square sheet of paper is folded many times until it becomes a bird, a flower, a fish or a frog, with no scissors or glue! The word “origami” means “folded paper” in Japanese.

🤩 Did you know?

There are about 100 traditional origami shapes.
Most traditional origami shapes show birds, flowers and fish.
Some artists make complicated shapes that need hundreds of folds.
Special origami paper is sold, thin and colored on one side.

🔎 Find out more

🌟 Just one sheet

In traditional origami we start with a square sheet and don't cut or glue it, only fold it. Simple folds make amazing shapes.

🔍 The crane

The most famous origami shape is the crane. A story in Japan says that whoever folds a thousand paper cranes will have their wish come true, so people fold them as a symbol of hope and peace.

💡 Try it yourself

Start with easy shapes like a boat, a hat, a paper plane or a dog's head. Fold slowly, and press each fold with your finger so it's sharp.

🎯 More than a game

Origami helps you concentrate, be patient and follow steps in order. Scientists also use its ideas to fold satellites' solar panels and open them in space!