Origami is generally associated with the tsuru, or origami crane. It is particularly well-known because of the tale of the 1001 Cranes (senbazuru), yet its simplicity is unquestionable. This iconic origami design can be made in many variations. Try making these various origami cranes yourself.
Traditional Origami Crane
According to a legend, if you can fold 1000 origami paper cranes, you will have a chance to make a wish, and it will come true. Since it had been folded for centuries, it served as a peace symbol throughout the Second World War. If you want to fold 1000 cranes to grant your heart's desire, we will teach you how to make an origami crane easily by following these instructions.
Steps to Follow:
This design will require one square sheet of paper (preferably origami paper).
- Folding the square diagonally from corner to corner is the first step. Repeat the procedure a second time to make your paper seem like an X. The crane won't fold correctly if the edges are not properly aligned. Make it as flawless as you can.
- In the second step, crease the paper over and cut it in two horizontally. Repeat this procedure until your paper is shaped like a + and an X stacked on top of one another. As with the X, make sure it is perfect. The big aspect of this is making certain your folds are exactly aligned.
- Keep the colored side down while you unfold the square. One of the corners of the square should now be pointed in your direction. Bring the table's two side corners together at the point where they point in your direction. An accordion-folded square is created by taking the top corner that is still protruding and pressing it down to join the other corners.
- Keeping the "flap" corners facing you, fold the top right corner of the square into the middle diagonal line of the square. Your folds will create a form that resembles the Superman logo in certain ways. Repeat from the left top corner.
- Once both pieces are folded in, pull the top section down and push the crease.
- Pull the triangle's two parts back out after you've done so, then raise the top sheet of paper. Next, raise the top front corner while keeping the bottom three corners in place. Draw up the top corner. It ought to resemble a frog's mouth. The following step is a little more difficult. Pull the top corner up and back to make the top piece lie flat. To create a diamond pattern on top of the bottom diagonal square, gently push down all the folds.
- Flip the paper over and repeat Steps 4-6 on the other side.
- Next, bring the diamond's right upper corner toward the center line. Push that fold down. Repeat the process for the upper left corner. Repeat the previous instructions for the second side of the paper after flipping it over. The final product will resemble the shape of a narrow kite.
- Now, like turning a page in a book, take up the top right corner and shift it over to the other side. Push the center fold down. Repeat this on the opposite side, from right to left, after flipping the paper over. The result will be an extremely lengthy "wolf's head" form.
- Fold the wolf's snout upward so that it reaches the tips of its ears. Downsize that fresh fold. Repeat on the opposite side by flipping the paper over.
- The top layer on the right side of the paper should be folded in a book fold from right to left, as you did in Step 8. Repeat on the opposite side by flipping the paper over.
- The head, neck, and tail of the paper are then removed. Pull both of them out so that they align with the body fold's angle. To form the head, bend the top of one side downward. Where the wing flaps' two angles come together, fold both wings downward. Roll up the folds.
- In the final step, pull the folded wings apart to complete the crane's structure and enable it to stand. To complete the body opening, flip the crane over and carefully pull the opposing corners apart. To make sure your crane's body is fully inflated, you can also try blowing into the hole at the bottom while you draw out the wings. To prevent the wings from ripping, take care not to draw them out too far. If the wings tear, you will need a new piece of paper to start your crane over.
Flapping Bird Origami Crane
There are numerous tutorials for creating traditional paper cranes, but these instructions will make a flapping bird make a different kind of origami crane that you need to try.
Steps to Follow:
- Create your square paper by cutting off the excess paper after folding one corner of a rectangular sheet of paper diagonally to produce a triangle. The A4 paper size and origami paper work best, although you can use any paper size you want.
- The paper is folded into a sizable X. If you haven't already, fold the square diagonally. Continue in the reverse direction. The X should be visible when you unfold the paper.
- Reverse the paper. Make sure the X's center, which has been slightly raised, faces upward.
- The paper is folded into a huge +. Initially, create a + that intersects with the middle of the X both vertically and horizontally. When you're finished, the +'s folds will bend the other way from the Xs.
- Bring each corner closer to the center. Create a square by spreading the paper. Turn the paper over so that a diamond-shaped opening is facing you.
- The diamond's top edges should be folded toward the center line. First, make sure the diamond's aperture is at the top.
- Gently unfurl every fold that you created in Step 6.
- Open the diamond by raising the bottom corner. Flatten. On the opposite side of the page, repeat. The final product ought to resemble a kite.
- Fold the top points of your new diamond form so that they point outward and downward toward the sides while holding it with the split end up.
- The kite's remaining layers should be folded downward (front and back).
- Pinch the tip of one of the side points you created in step 9 to create the head. It's somewhat bent downward, with its fold turned around.
- Pull the wings out from the body, circle them with your hands, and grasp and drag the bird by the tail and neck to cause the wings to flap.
Origami cranes come in a wide variety of styles depending on their level of difficulty. I suppose this could help you practice making these two varieties of cranes at home!