How to make an origami swan

If you want to know how to make an origami swan, you’ve come to the right place. This blog will show you step-by-step how to make this beautiful paper creation.

Table of Contents

What is origami?

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, which is often associated with simple geometric shapes and patterns. However, origami can also be quite complex, with some models taking hours or days to complete.

Origami originated in Japan in the 17th century and has since spread to become popular all over the world. Today, there are origami societies and competitions in many countries, and the art form has even been used in engineering and medical applications.

The history of origami

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The word “origami” is derived from the Japanese words “ori” (to fold) and “kami” (paper). It is believed that origami originated in China in the sixth century A.D., and was then brought to Japan by Buddhist monks.

For centuries, origami was used primarily for religious purposes, as well as for making boxes, packages, and wrappers for gifts. In the 1600s, origami became popular as an art form among the Japanese nobility. By the 1800s, it had become a popular pastime among all classes of Japanese people.

Origami later spread to other countries around the world. In 1905, Lillian Oppenheimer taught origami to children in New York City. Mary Ellen von spirit introduced origami to Europe in 1937 when she gave a talk on the subject at the London Kindergarten Association conference.

During World War II, British troops fold origami models to send home to their sweethearts as love tokens. The most famous of these is probably the paper crane, which has come to symbolize hope and peace.

The basics of origami

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The word “origami” is derived from the two Japanese words ori (meaning “folding”) and kami (meaning “paper”).

Although origami is often associated with simple paper cranes, it can be quite complex, involving folds of all kinds of shapes and sizes. The best thing about origami is that all you need is a sheet of paper!

If you’re a beginner, start with something simple like a crane or a boat. These basic origami models are easy to make and only require a few steps. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to more challenging origami models like animals, flowers, and even lanterns.

What you will need:

1 sheet of square origami paper (you can also use regular 8.5″ x 11″ printer paper)
A flat surface to work on
A sharp crease maker (optional)

How to make an origami swan

The origami swan is a classic origami model. It is easy to make, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. You can use any type of paper, but if you want your swan to be durable, we recommend using thicker paper.

Start with a square piece of paper, fold it in half, and crease well.
Unfold the paper and fold it in half the other way. Crease well and unfold.
Take the top corner of the paper and fold it down to the bottom corner. Crease well and unfold.
Repeat step 3 with the other side of the paper.
Fold the top corners of the paper down to the center line. Crease well and unfold.
Fold each side of the paper up to the center line. Crease well and unfolded halfway so that there is a triangle at the bottom of each side of the paper
Fold each side of the triangle up (so that you have a smaller triangle).
Fold each side of the small triangle up again (so that you have an even smaller triangle). This step can be repeated as many times as you like until your swan is as small as you want it to be.
When you are happy with the size of your swan, gently twist it so that the small triangles at the bottom become its wings. Your origami swan is now complete!

Tips for making an origami swan

The origami swan is a classic origami project that is perfect for beginners. These simple instructions will show you how to make a beautiful origami swan that you can use as a decoration or a toy.

Start with a square piece of paper. If you don’t have a square, you can fold one corner of the paper over to create a triangle, and then cut off the excess paper.
Fold the paper in half to create a crease down the middle. Unfold the paper and then fold each side toward the center crease. Crease well and unfold.
Fold each corner of the paper up to the top center point, creasing well as you go. Flip the paper over and repeat on the other side.
For the body of your swan, take one of the top triangle points and fold it down so that it meets the bottom edge of the paper (as shown in the first photo). Repeat with the other side so that both sides are symmetrical.

Variations on the origami swan

There are many variations on the origami swan. The most popular variation is probably the one that is made with two sheets of paper. This version is usually called the “double swan.”

Here are a few other variations that you might want to try:

The “throat swan”: This version has a long, narrow neck and a small head. To make this swan, start with a square sheet of paper. Fold it in half, then in half again, and then in half again (so you end up with a smaller square). Then, fold the long edges of the small square towards the center, making sure that the folds meet in the middle. Next, fold the top and bottom edges towards the center so they meet in the middle as well. Finally, use your fingers to make a small crease at the very center of the paper swan’s neck (this will help to give it its shape).

The “winged swan”: This version has wings made out of two pieces of paper. Start by folding a square sheet of paper in half twice (so you end up with a smaller square). Then, take two pieces of paper and fold them in half length-wise. Place these pieces of paper on top of the small square so they look like wings, and then fold them down so they’re glued to the back of the square. Next, follow all of the instructions for making a regular origami swan.

The “neckerchief swan”: This version has a neckerchief made out of another piece of paper. Start by folding a square sheet of paper in half twice (so you end up with a smaller square). Then, take another piece of paper and fold it in half length-wise. Place this piece of paper around the small square so it looks like a neckerchief, and then glue or tape it into place. Next, follow all of the instructions for making a regular origami swan.

More origami projects

Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The word “origami” is derived from the two Japanese words, “oru” meaning “to fold”, and “kami” meaning “paper”. Although origami is often associated with Japanese culture, it actually originated in China. It is believed that origami originated in the sixth century when Buddhist monks brought a paper to Japan.

Today, origami is enjoyed by people of all ages all over the world. It can be simple or complex and can be used to create a wide variety of objects including animals, flowers, boxes, and so much more.

There are many resources available if you want to learn how to make origami. One great way to learn is by taking an origami class from a local arts and crafts store or through your community center. Another option is to find an online tutorial or video. Or, if you prefer, there are many excellent books available on the subject.

Once you have learned the basics of origami, you can start working on more complex projects. Check out some of these links for more origami inspiration:

OrigamiUSA: The official website of the American Origami Society with lots of resources for both beginners and experienced folders.
Instructables: A great place to find step-by-step instructions for all kinds of origami projects.
YouTube: There are many informative origami videos available on YouTube

Where to find origami resources

There are many places to find origami resources. Online, there are a number of websites that offer diagrams and instructions for origami projects. Print resources can be found in books and magazines. Some public libraries have origami books that can be checked out. Additionally, there are now a number of apps that offer origami instructions.