Origami

Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. You have probably seen paper cranes before, and I’m sure you’ve folded a paper airplane. Both paper cranes and paper airplanes are origami (but that doesn’t mean you should play with either in class!).

The Chinese had paper long before the Japanese. Sometime after 500AD the Chinese introduced the paper to the Japanese. It wasn’t long before they began folding paper into art.

Origami became very important to the Japanese. Origami folded around dried meat was often attached to gifts. This origami, called noshi, was thought to bring luck.

Origami plays a part at some Japanese weddings, too. Origami butterflies are placed on wine bottles to represent the bride and groom.

The best-known origami legend has to do with paper cranes. It is believed that if you fold 1000 paper cranes, one of your wishes will be granted. It would take a long time to fold 1000 paper cranes but the result would be beautiful. And who knows, maybe one of your wishes will come true!

Fold your own origami cranes, butterflies, paper airplanes, and more at this great site!

Return to main page.