How to Make a Rose Out of a Palm Tree Leaf

Palm fronds have been part of Catholic traditions for centuries.

The art of palm weaving can be applied to any shape or symbol, but it is most commonly employed to produce decorations for the Easter holiday. The palms are a part of Palm Sunday rituals commemorating Jesus Christ's arrival in Jerusalem. The palms are given to worshipers and later burnt for use on Ash Wednesday. Many worshipers choose to weave this palm fronds into religious symbols such as the cross or decorative pieces such as the rose.

Things You'll Need

• Two palm fronds
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut two palm fronds into equal-sized pieces. Lay one on top of the other to form an "L" shape. Slide the horizontal piece to the left about 1 inch so there is a small amount of palm extending behind the intersection of the two pieces.

2. Fold the extended piece up and over the intersection of the two palms. Wrap the vertical piece downward, then wrap the horizontal piece around the freshly folded vertical piece. Repeat the process of wrapping the vertical piece, then the horizontal piece, five more times.

3. Tuck the vertical leaf under the horizontal leaf, then slide the horizontal leaf behind the vertical leaf. Form a loop with the horizontal piece. Slide the excess material from the horizontal piece under the vertical piece until the loop is about 3 inches in diameter.

4. Form a loop with the excess material leftover from the first loop you made. Slide the excess material from the new loop back underneath itself and through the intersection. The horizontal piece should now resemble a bow with one loop on each side of the vertical piece.

5. Form a loop with the vertical piece that is the same size as the loops on the horizontal piece. Slide the excess material underneath itself and through the intersection. Then, form a loop with the excess material from the vertical loop and secure it in the same fashion. Your palms should now resemble a four-leaf clover.

6. Fold the right and left loops together by bringing the right loop through the inside of the left loop. This will form the interior of the rose. Then fold the top loop up and over the left and right loops. This forms the bud of the rose. Fold the bottom loop up and over the other three loops. You can trim any excess palm that sticks out with scissors or tuck it underneath the rose.

References

• Origami Resource Center; Palm Weaving
• Italiansrus.com; Rose Bud Palms; Anthony Parente