折纸大全

Paper Folding

Most people are familiar with the term origami or paper-folding.  The name origami is a Japanese term from the words oru (to fold) and kami (paper).  In China, the art of folding paper is called, 折纸 zhé zhǐ.  Did you know the art of paper-folding originated in China?  Paper was first invented by Cai Lun, an Imperial court official during the Han Dynasty, who created sheets of paper from mulberry, bast fibers, old rags,  fish nets, and hemp waste.  In the 6th century, monks carried paper to Japan.  Chinese paper-folding tends to focus more on inanimate objects, such as boats or small dishes.  Japanese paper-folding tends to favor more living things, such as flowers and animals.  Click here to download 29 paper-folding shapes with step by step pictures to make shapes like the ones below.