How to Fold a Traditional Origami Crane

The traditional paper origami crane is probably the most famous of all origami models. It’s designed after the Japanese red-crowned crane. In Japanese mythology, this crane is known as the “Honourable Lord Crane,” and its wings carry souls up to heaven.

The Japanese name for this model is “Orizuru” which simply means “Folded crane.” “Ori” is the same “Ori” that you find in the word origami.

An ancient Japanese legend promises that if anyone folds a thousand paper cranes, they will be granted a wish by the gods. In some cases, you are granted happiness or good luck.

If you’ve never tried origami before, we recommend you check out our beginner’s guide first. Once you know the basic folds, then this will be much easier.

Traditional Paper Crane Step-by-Step Instructions

• Difficulty: Intermediary
• Folding time: 10-15 minutes
• Model designer: Traditional
• Paper: We used Roketsu paper in the tutorial below. However, we recommend a thinner paper if it’s your first trial. The classic Kami 15×15 will do well. Chiyogami is also a great choice if you want a fancier-looking crane like the one in the featured image.

Step 1

Start with the white side of the paper facing up and fold in half diagonally.

Step 2

Fold in half again along the dotted line.

Step 3

Fold that flap back and squash fold this flap down.

Step 4

Turn the model over. We’re going to repeat the last few steps on the other side.

Step 5

Fold the flap over to the left along the dotted line and squash fold this flap down.

Step 6

You now have a completed square or preliminary base. With a few more folds, we’ll turn it into a bird base.

Fold the side flap to the center along the dotted line.

Crease this fold well and then unfold it.

Step 7

Fold the flap on the other side to the center along the dotted line.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 8

Fold the top down along the dotted line.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 9

Lift the top flap of paper up along the crease you just made. We’re going to make a petal fold.

Continue lifting up and push in the sides along the creases you made in the previous couple of steps.

Flatten everything along the creases you already made.

Step 10

The completed petal fold.

Turn the model over. We’re going to make a petal fold on the other side, too.

Step 11

Fold the side to the center along the dotted line.

Crease this well and then unfold.

Step 12

Fold the other side to the center along the dotted line.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 13

Fold the top down along the dotted line.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 14

Lift the top flap of paper up along the crease you just made. We’re going to make another petal fold.

Continue lifting up and push in the sides along the creases you made in the previous couple of steps.

Flatten everything along the creases you already made.

Step 15

The completed petal fold. At this point, you also have a completed a bird base.

Next, we’re going to fold the neck and the tail. Fold the top flap on the right to the center along the dotted line.

Step 16

Fold the top flap on the left to the center along the dotted line as well.

Step 17

Turn the model over. We’re going to repeat the last two steps on the other side.

Step 18

Fold the top flap on the left to the center along the dotted line.

Step 19

Fold the top flap on the right to the center along the dotted line as well.

Step 20

Fold the long, thin section of paper on the right up along the dotted line.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 21

Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left up just like you did on the other side.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 22

Turn the model over. We’re going to repeat the last couple of steps on the other side.

Step 23

Fold the long, thin section of paper on the right up along the dotted line. There’s already a crease here, but now you’re going to fold it the other way.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 24

Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left up just like you did on the other side. There’s also a crease here already, and you’re also going to fold it the other way.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 25

Now, we’re going to make an inside reverse fold along the creases you just made on the right side of the model.

Lift the paper up inside the model along the creases you already made and flatten everything.

👉 Folding tip: With some practice, you can skip steps 20 to 24 and directly make the inside reverse fold.

Step 26

Make another inside reverse fold along the creases you already made along the left side of the model.

Lift the paper up inside the model along the creases you already made and flatten everything.

Step 27

Now, we’re going to fold the head. Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left down along the dotted line.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 28

Turn the model over so we can repeat this on the other side.

Step 29

Fold the long, thin section of paper on the left side now down along the dotted line. This is folded the opposite way along the crease you already folded on the other side.

Crease this well and unfold.

Step 30

Turn the model over again so it’s facing the way it was before.

Step 31

Fold the head by making an inside reverse fold along the creases you made in the previous couple of steps. The head is then folded inside the neck.

👉 Folding tip: With some practice, you can skip steps 27 to 30 and directly make the inside reverse fold.

Step 32

Fold down the wings on both sides along the dotted line.

👉 Shaping tip: You can make the back of the crane flatter by pulling on the wings and adjust it to your taste.

The completed origami crane, good job!

The Thousand Paper Cranes

In Japan, the crane is said to live for 1,000 years, which is why one must fold 1,000 of them. To make your wish come true, you have to hold onto all the cranes. If you fold one and give it away, that one doesn’t count.

The origami crane’s popularity is largely due to a children’s book written by author Eleanor Coerr called “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.”

The story follows a Japanese girl named Sadako, who was two years old when the United States bombed Japan at the end of World War II. Due to the fallout from the bombs, Sadako developed leukemia.

In the hospital, she spent her time folding origami cranes, hoping to make 1,000 of them.

According to Sadako’s family, she managed to fold approximately 1,400 paper cranes. Many of these cranes have been donated to places such as the 9-11 Memorial in New York City, Pearl Harbour, the Museum of Tolerance, and more places as a symbol of peace.

How did you do? Tell us in the comments, and feel free to share a photo of your origami crane with us. We’d love to see it.

Download the Full Origami Crane Printable PDF Instructions

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