Origami for Beginners: The Complete Guide to Starting the Origami Journey
Origami for beginners: history, how to read a diagram, the classic bases, how to choose paper and sizes, a paper planner, and the tools and books I recommend.
By Yuuna·Updated
Origami has been a favorite pastime of mine for many years. It is an excellent way for children and adults to develop dexterity and creativity, along with patience and care. The art follows hundreds of years of tradition while always finding new designs, and the best folders now make everything from winged dragons to deep-sea creatures from a single sheet.
A great starting point for me was the traditional cranes and flowers, which teach the vocabulary and instructions used in patterns before you move on to harder designs. Modular origami, such as the kusudama family, builds beautiful spheres and three-dimensional structures out of dozens of carefully folded units, and it spoke to the more analytical part of my mind. That is the beauty of origami: there is something for everyone.
This guide covers where origami comes from, why the crane matters, how to read a diagram, the classic bases, how to choose paper and sizes, and the tools and books I use. It includes a paper planner so you can work out how much paper a project needs.
Key Takeaways
- The word is young; the art is old. Paper reached Japan by the 7th century, the earliest technical book for play, Hiden senbazuru orikata, dates to 1797, and the word "origami" is reportedly from 1880.
- Learn the symbols first. Valley folds are dashed lines, mountain folds are dash-dot lines, and the notation was introduced by Akira Yoshizawa in 1954 and standardized by Samuel Randlett and Robert Harbin.
- A few bases cover most models. The preliminary base is the starting point for the frog and bird bases, and the bird base is the starting point for the crane.
- Size matters less than you think. The most popular senbazuru paper is 7.5 cm (3 in) square; many packs use 6 inch (15 cm) sheets. Doubling the width quadruples the paper.
- Crisp folds make the model. A bone folder gives sharp creases and helps young hands and arthritic ones.
What Origami Is, and Where the Word Comes From
Origami comes from oru (to fold) and kami (paper). The term was reportedly coined in 1880; earlier, the art was called orikata, meaning "folded shapes." Paper itself reached Japan from China by the 7th century, via the Korean peninsula, and the nagashi-suki papermaking technique developed in Japan around 805 to 809. Folded paper was first associated with wrapping and ceremonial etiquette. Play and art folding came later.
A Short History of Origami
The dates below come from Wikipedia's history of origami. Folding was already part of etiquette in the 1300s and 1400s, when the Ogasawara and Ise clans developed formal folded-paper customs. By 1680 the poet Ihara Saikaku described origami butterflies at Shinto weddings, and in 1747 Ranma zushiki published origami designs, including cranes. The oldest known technical book on origami for play, Hiden senbazuru orikata, followed in 1797 (some sources say 1798), with 49 pieces. In 1976, the city of Kuwana designated 49 methods from that book as Intangible Cultural Properties.
Origami also entered classrooms. Japan's first kindergarten opened in 1875, and the 1877 kindergarten regulations listed 25 activities, including origami, in a system influenced by Friedrich Fröbel's view of paper folding as a teaching aid. If you are folding with children, my guide to Japanese culture for kids has more ideas.
Why the Crane? Senbazuru and One Thousand Cranes
The crane is the classic origami model, and cranes are tied to a long-standing folk saying that cranes live a thousand years. Senbazuru (千羽鶴) means "one thousand cranes." Cranes are given to wish recovery to someone who is seriously ill, and they appear at war memorials as wishes for health and peace. Sets are commonly assembled as 25 strings of 40 cranes.
The crane is also linked with Sadako Sasaki, who was two when exposed to radiation from the Hiroshima atomic bombing, developed leukemia and began folding cranes at 12. She died on 25 October 1955. Accounts of how many she folded differ: the fictionalized book Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes says 644, her family says about 1,400, and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum says she completed 1,000 and kept folding. A statue of her stands in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where people leave cranes on Obon day.
How to Read an Origami Diagram
Every diagram uses the same short list of symbols. Learn these first and almost any pattern becomes readable. The system was introduced by Akira Yoshizawa in his 1954 book and made standard by Samuel Randlett and Robert Harbin; Randlett first described it in The Art of Origami in 1961.
| Symbol | Line | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Valley fold | Dashed line, curved arrow with a solid head | Fold toward you so the paper folds in front of itself |
| Mountain fold | Dash-dot line, curved arrow with an open head | Fold away so the paper folds behind itself |
| Fold and unfold | Dashed line, one solid and one open arrowhead | Make a crease, then open it again |
| Existing crease | Thin solid line | A fold from an earlier step |
| Paper edge | Thick solid line | The outline of the paper |
Other diagram terms you will meet include pleat (an accordion fold), crimp, and inside and outside reverse folds. A good beginner book explains each one with pictures.
The Classic Bases
A base is a folded intermediate shape that comes just before a model's final shaping. A small number of bases start most traditional models.
| Base | What it is | Leads to |
|---|---|---|
| Waterbomb base | Two diagonal valley folds and two center mountain folds collapsed into a triangle with four flaps | The reverse of the preliminary base; also a path to the frog base |
| Preliminary (square) base | The reverse of the waterbomb base | The frog and bird bases |
| Bird (crane) base | A preliminary base with both the front and the back petal folded upward | The crane |
| Fish base | Two side-by-side rabbit ears on each of two opposite corners | Fish-shaped models |
A petal fold is equivalent to two side-by-side rabbit ears. A sensible learning order follows the bases: start with a simple preliminary-base model, move on to the crane, and then explore models built from the other bases.
Choosing Paper and Size
Paper is the biggest decision a beginner makes. Commercial packs come in squares from 2.5 cm (1 in) to 25 cm (10 in) or more. The most popular size for senbazuru is 7.5 cm (3 in), and the larger 6 inch paper often has traditional or floral designs that resemble kimono patterns. Smaller sheets give smaller and lighter strings.
| Paper | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner kit paper | First models, children | Thicker, folds well, usually plain or colorful |
| Traditional printed paper | Display models, gifts | Often follows kimono and washi patterns |
| Thin paper | Models with many folds | Folds into small, delicate layers |
| Heavy paper | Boxes and other objects | Holds its shape; needs a bone folder |
| Regular printer paper | Simple models, practice | Cut a square from the sheet first |
Do you have printer paper at home? Use the planner to see how many squares you can cut from a sheet and how many sheets a project needs. For more on the question, see can origami be made with regular paper? and how origami paper is made.
Paper for Beginners
Kids love doing origami if you can find the right entry-level paper and designs that ease them into the terminology and encourage them to use their hands and minds together. Paper used at the beginning is still thick and folds well but usually does not have the more traditional patterns associated with origami.
The Paperkiddo Family Origami Paper Kit comes with 12 patterns and a colored instruction book that teaches anyone how to make zoo animals ranging from easy to difficult. The great thing about this kit is that it comes with enough paper, eight each, that multiple family members can work on the same projects together. I prefer kits like this because usually you only get enough to make one or two of each, and if there are a few of you learning at the same time, it is super helpful to all be working on the same one together.
Paperkiddo Family Origami Paper Kit
For even more patterns, the Kool Krafts 100 Origami Paper Kit has 25 easy projects that are a great introduction and make a wide variety of shapes from animals to objects. These patterns are also in color with full terminology instructions, and as they are all on the beginner level, this kit provides a great way to start learning origami.
Traditional Paper
When I became more proficient and moved on to the more advanced patterns, or even with the simpler ones that I just wanted to add a little flair to, I changed the paper I was using to the more traditional patterns and textures. Some origami paper has an almost fabric-like feel, and others have a thinner, more delicate composition. The heavier paper makes great boxes or other objects, while the thinner paper is excellent for the more complicated patterns that require numerous folds.
Yuzen Washi Paper comes in a pack of 80 with half patterned and the other half plain. The designs vary by the pack but tend to be the very traditional Japanese patterns of birds, flowers and scenery. They are silk-screened and painted in Japan and tend to follow popular kimono patterns.
Yuzen Washi Paper
I have used Paperkiddo Origami Paper to give a more stone-looking design that fits some patterns a little better in my opinion. The geometric spheres and such look amazing when made from these marble and stone-patterned papers. It comes in a pack of 100 with 10 of each design. The bonus to this pack is that the paper is double-sided. That can be a huge boost to some patterns prone to leaving white edges showing, though some people are firmly in the camp that the white edges that show from single-sided paper are a sign of authenticity and tradition.
An even more economical choice, Origami Paper 300 sheets Japanese Washi Patterns, comes with 300 sheets featuring 12 different patterns that are based on the slightly more expensive washi sheets. It is important to note that the washi pattern is not the same as washi paper. There is a difference in the paper's quality, but for patterns that require dozens of sheets of the same pattern, this is the best way to go. The other thing to keep in mind about this pack is that it comes in 4" squares instead of the more standard 6".
Bone Folder Sets
The most important part of folding origami to make your end creation come out correctly is having crisp folds and clean edges. The folds you do at first and as you go along allow the paper to bend more easily in later steps and create the foundations for the later, more delicate part of the pattern when you are trying to fold ever-smaller portions into ever-smaller pockets.
To get those crisp folds, use a tool like Arteza Bone Folders. This set of four works wonders on any kind of paper and helps keep buckling and ridges from forming even on heavy, thick paper. These are also great for anyone who has arthritis in their hands or for kids who are learning origami and do not quite have the dexterity yet to make the edges themselves. This set is made from durable, lightweight plastic, however, not bone.
Another option I have used on heavier cardstock is the ECOHU Bone Folder, a set of two made from bone and not plastic. These do come in a nice box for storage, which helps keep track of them.
ECOHU Bone Folder Set
Books
There are many books out for learning origami. Some focus on the traditional, and some focus on the modern expanded designs. A great place to begin is the Japanese Origami for Beginners Kit. There are 96 pages, plus a DVD, with patterns, terminology definitions and a little bit of origami history. There are also some tips and best-practice techniques included that can help you get started.
If you enjoy the patient, hands-on side of origami, you may also like my guides to ikebana, kokedama and drawing anime.
FAQ
Where does origami come from?
Paper reached Japan from China by the 7th century, and folded paper first appeared in wrapping customs and etiquette before becoming a form of play and art. The oldest known technical book on origami for play is Hiden senbazuru orikata (1797).
What does origami mean?
It comes from oru (to fold) and kami (paper). The term was reportedly coined in 1880; before then the art was called orikata.
What is a senbazuru?
A string or set of one thousand paper cranes, commonly assembled as 25 strings of 40, traditionally given as a wish for recovery, health or peace.
What size of paper should a beginner use?
Many beginners start with 15 cm (6 inch) squares because they are easier to handle. Smaller 7.5 cm (3 in) squares are the most popular size for senbazuru.
Can I use printer paper?
Yes, for simple models, once you cut a square from the sheet. See can origami be made with regular paper?
What is the difference between a valley fold and a mountain fold?
A valley fold, drawn as a dashed line, folds the paper toward you. A mountain fold, drawn as a dash-dot line, folds it away.
Conclusion
Origami rewards patience and curiosity. Learn the symbols, practice a few bases, choose paper that suits the model and make crisp folds, and you will be able to follow almost any pattern. The kits, papers, bone folders and book I have listed are the ones I have used, and I think they are a great way to start. Now I think I will go fold a few more cranes.
Sources and How This Guide Was Checked
Dates, the 1797 book, the 1976 designation, the kindergarten dates and the notation history follow Wikipedia's "History of origami" and "Yoshizawa-Randlett system" articles. The senbazuru details (25 strings of 40, the 7.5 cm paper size, and the differing accounts of Sadako Sasaki's cranes) follow Wikipedia's "One thousand origami cranes" article. The description of the bases follows Origami Wiki and Instructables. The origin of the word "origami" and the 2.5 to 25 cm commercial size range follow Wikipedia's "Origami" article, and the 1880 date is reported there rather than confirmed by a primary source. Square areas and the 5.6 square metre figure for 1,000 sheets of 7.5 cm paper are my own arithmetic. Some sources date the 1797 book to 1798. Product picks are my own experience, and some links are affiliate links.
