How to Make an Origami Flying Bird

Origami is the ancient Japanese art of folding paper. As paper used to be available only to the rich, origami had a purpose, like being folded around meat or fish, or around glasses of sake in the form of butterflies that represented a bride and groom at a wedding. When paper became available to all, the art of origami spread as well. You too can do some origami. Begin by making an origami flying bird.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Choose a piece of paper from which to make an origami flying bird. This can be of any color or thickness.

2. Make the paper square. If the paper is not square already, fold the paper over so that it makes a triangle, and cut off the excess.

3. Unfold the paper, and refold it so that you have two lines running diagonally, from corner to corner.

4. Turn over the paper so that the "peak" or the middle of the paper is pointing up.

5. Fold the paper in half, then turn it over and fold it in half in the other direction. You should have two folds running across the paper, and also up and down.

6. Bring all of the corners of the paper into the center and fold the paper into a square.

7. Fold all of the open edges of the paper into the center. Make sure each of the edges are aligned evenly with the center line. When you have done this for all of the edges, gently unfold the edges.

8. Tuck the corner into the inside of the paper, and do this along the creased lines you have made. Do this for all of the open edges. You will end up with something that looks like a kite.

9. Pull the sharper or more acute edges of the kite shape down and fold it down until it's smooth. Do this for the other side as well. You will now have what looks like a diamond.

10. Hold the diamond shape so that the open or split end is facing upwards. Gently pull down one of the split ends and fold it so that it points straight out at a 90 degree angle from the rest of the diamond. Do this with the other side. Turn the resulting shape around so that the remaining point is facing away from you.

11. Fold down one of the flaps on the side down at a 45 degree angle. This will form one of the wings. Turn it over and do the same to the other flap.

12. Designate one of the acute points as the head of the origami bird and fold down a portion of it at a 45 degree angle.

13. Lift the wings of the origami bird up so that they point away from the body of the bird, and add a slight curve to them with your fingers. Open the flap beneath each of the wings to give them some depth.

14. Move the wings of the origami flying bird by gently pulling back on the tail.

Resources

• Meta Café has a video on the origami flying bird.
• Crafts Kaboose has a origami flying bird.

[arwen1964]

on 11/20/2007 The steps are very descriptive, but pictures would make this article even better. Digital cameras are very cheap now, and easy to use. Or you could borrow one from a friend. I'd love to see some examples of your work.