Origami Koi Folding Instructions
This origami koi is quite realistic-looking. If you've ever seen real koi or carp, then you'd know that they open their mouths wide when feeding.Submit your questions/comments and photos to us!
You can start off with a 6 inch (15cm) square color faded Origami Paper like we have done. But once you've mastered the origami koi, you may want to use a more exotic paper, like a metallic Origami Paper
which really makes the origami koi a true masterpiece.
One of our readers did just that. You can see his metallic origami koi at the end of this page. What a beauty!
Origami Koi Step 1: Start with an origami square base, then fold corner A upwards as shown below.
Origami Koi Step 2: Now fold the corners B and C to the centerline, then fold D and E to the centerline as shown:
Origami Koi Step 3: Next fold the top point of the model down...
Origami Koi Step 4: ...and flip the entire piece over. Fold the corners toward the centerline as shown...
Origami Koi Step 5: ...and then unfold. Take the bottom corner and fold it upwards as shown in the next three photos. This is a famous fold and is called a Petal Fold.
Origami Koi Step 6: Now fold the corners to the centerline, and flip the model over. Fold the fins of the koi upwards...
Origami Koi Step 7: ...then do a reverse inside fold on each fin:
Origami Koi Step 8: Now put a a finger or thumb in the "pocket" on the front of the piece, and hold it firmly. Grasp the corner F and pull slowly out as shown in the next five photos.
Origami Koi Step 9: Use your fingers to shape the body and tail. Also curve the fins a bit.
Now your origami koi is ready to swim in the backyard pond!
Check out the origami koi made by Cory, a reader from York! He says " it was hard at first but finally i got skipper the orgami koi".
What a beautiful koi, Cory! Using a metallic Origami Paper really made the origami koi "pop" and made it even more special!
Thanks to Allison from Texas for her origami koi - "Notice that i cut the edge of the tail to make the tail fin and added 2 xtra folds to the fins"
