How to Make an Origami Blow-Up Tiger
The tiger is the third of 12 Chinese zodiac signs, and is a common symbol in Asian art and mythology. If you have basic experience with origami, you can fold an origami tiger for decoration or an art project. Though the traditional folded tiger is angular and flat, you can adapt the origami inflatable ball pattern to create a tiger with a round body, instead.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 sheets orange origami paper, one larger than the other
- Tape or glue
- Black marker or pen
Instructions
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The Head
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1
Fold a square of orange origami paper in half horizontally, with the colored side on the outside.
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2
Fold each half in half again, back to the outside. Both edges will come up to meet the center fold from Step 1.
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3
Fold the right narrow end of the rectangle up to meet the top fold, forming a triangle. Fold the entire triangle to the left, making a vertical fold along its edge. Crease both folds and unfold back to the rectangle.
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4
Open the top right-hand layer of the rectangle out along the crease lines you just made to form a wide, open triangle with its long side pointing away from you. Repeat the opening with the bottom right-hand layer of the rectangle, to form a triangle on the back.
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5
Push the far right point of the triangle in on itself in a reverse fold to form the tiger’s nose.
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6
Fold the left point of the top triangle over toward the right. Repeat with the bottom triangle, folding backward. These will be the tiger’s ears.
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7
Fold the left side of the rectangle toward the right and down, so that the new right edge is parallel to the tiger’s ears and you have a diagonal fold on the top left of the shape. Crease the fold and unfold.
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8
Fold the top edge down into the body, making a reverse fold along the diagonal creases you just made.
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9
Broaden the tiger’s face by inserting your fingers beneath the chin and opening the shape out. Tape the tiger’s ears together over the top of his head.
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10
Crease and tear off the lower portion of the tiger’s neck. Set this strip aside; you'll use it later to form the tail.
The Body
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11
Take a second square of orange origami paper—larger than the one you used to make the head—and fold it in half on the diagonal. Crease the fold and unfold. Then, fold it in half along the other diagonal. Crease and unfold.
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12
Flip the paper over and fold it in half vertically, crease and unfold. Fold it in half horizontally, crease and unfold.
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13
Collapse the paper in along the fold lines to end up with a multi-layered triangle. Orient the triangle with the long side toward you and the top point facing away.
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14
Fold the lower left corner of the top layer up to meet the top corner. Fold the lower right corner of the top layer up to meet the top corner. Flip the triangle over and repeat those two folds with that side of the shape.
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15
Fold the left corner of the top layer in toward the center line, making a vertical crease. Fold the right corner of the top layer in toward the center line, making a vertical crease. Flip the shape over and repeat those two folds with the other side.
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16
Use your finger to expand the left-hand side pocket made by the fold in Step 5. Fold the top corner of the top left layer down and insert the flap into that pocket. Repeat with the right-side pocket, as well as the right and left pockets on the other side of the shape.
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17
Unfold the shape partially and look for the opening at one end. Blow gently into that hole to inflate the shape.
Assembly and Decoration
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18
Flatten the end of the tiger’s neck and fasten the head onto one side of the inflated body, using tape or glue.
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19
Roll up the strip of paper you set aside for a tail. Secure the roll with tape or glue and then insert one end of the tail into the hole in the back of the body.
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20
Draw tiger stripes and other features on the figure using black markers or pens.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Because the inflatable body does not include legs, you may wish to draw legs so that the tiger is reclining. Or, make a seated tiger by pulling out the lower flaps on either side of the body and unfolding those triangles.
This inflatable tiger is whimsical rather than traditional, so feel free to use unusual color combinations or decoration schemes.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
