how to make a japanese origami paper crane

Origami is a traditional Japanese art of paper folding. It has been practiced in Japan for centuries and is now popular all around the world. One of the most popular origami designs is the paper crane. Making a paper crane is easy, and it can be a great way to relax and unwind after a long day. In this article, we will show you step-by-step how to make a Japanese origami paper crane.

Getting Started

The first step in making a paper crane is to gather all the materials you will need. You will need a square piece of origami paper. The size of the paper is up to you, but most people use a 6-inch square. You can buy origami paper from a craft store or online. You will also need a flat surface to work on and a little bit of patience.

The Folds

The next step is to start folding your paper. Begin by folding the paper in half diagonally, creasing it well, and then unfolding it. Next, fold the paper in half diagonally in the other direction, crease well, and then unfold it again. You should now have a piece of paper that has two diagonal creases forming an X.Next, fold the paper in half, bringing the top edge to the bottom edge, and crease it well. Unfold the paper and then fold it in half the other way, crease, and unfold again. You should now have four creases forming a cross.Now, you need to bring the left and right sides of the paper to the center line, crease the paper, and then open it up again. Do the same with the top and bottom sides of the paper. You should now have eight creases on your paper.Fold down one corner of the paper to where the creases meet in the middle and crease well. Do the same with the opposite corner. You should now have a small square shape at the top of your paper.Next, fold the top layer of the left and right sides of the paper down to the center crease. Crease well and unfold. Do the same with the top layer of the top and bottom sides of the paper. Crease and unfold.Fold the top of the paper down to where you made the last crease; this should create a small triangle. Repeat on the opposite side of the paper.

The Final Fold

Now, fold the left and right sides of the paper into the center crease, creating a diamond shape. Crease well and then unfold.Next, fold the bottom of the paper up to meet the top point of the diamond. Crease well and unfold. Finally, fold the top layer of the paper down to where the last crease meets the edge of the paper. Crease well and then unfold.Gently pull the top layer of the paper up and out to the side, following the creases you made earlier. As you do this, bring the sides of the paper in towards each other, creating a diamond shape. You should now have two flaps at the bottom of your paper that you can fold up to create wings.

Conclusion

And that’s it! You have now completed your Japanese origami paper crane. It may take a few attempts to get it right, but with practice, you will soon be able to make them quickly and easily. The paper crane is a symbol of hope and healing in Japan and is often given as a gift to wish someone well. Now you can make your own and spread a little bit of happiness wherever you go.