Origami is the art of folding a piece of paper, usually a square, to create a 3 dimensional object. Traditional Japanese origami dates back to the sixth century. The Japanese word “origami” translates to mean “folding paper”. Probably the most commonly known origami piece is a crane. Ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish.
Today we are sharing a very simple origami angel fish. Most origami pieces will stand by themselves when they have been folded. Because of the simple nature of this design, it is meant to be glued to another piece of paper. If you and your child enjoy origami, there are many books and online sites to find hundreds of patterns.
Materials for Origami Angel Fish:
- 6″ Paper square – we used wrapping paper – you can also use comics, origami paper or other thin paper
- White paper for eye
- Black marker for inner eye
- Construction paper or Scrapbook paper for background
- Glue stick
Directions for Folding Origami Angel Fish:
Cut a 6″ square from wrapping paper, comics, origami paper or other thin paper.
Refer to illustrations 1 and 2. Fold the square in half from top to bottom and open. Fold the square in half from left to right and open. Fold and unfold from corner to corner in both directions to get an X crease. Open. Fold the top-edge of the paper down while you push the right and left edges inward. The red lines in the diagram will come together on the inside of the triangle you are creating.
Refer to diagram 3 and 4. Take the right top flap and fold over toward the left lap.
Refer to diagram 5. Take the left top flap and fold over the right flap.
Turn the fish over so the 2 flaps are under the fish. Cut out a round circle for an eye out of white paper and make a smaller black circle inside the white circle. Using a glue stick, glue the eye to the angel fish.
Glue the fish to another piece of paper to display.
