Best Origami Butterfly Ever — Instructions

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Modular Origami, Kusudama & Stars by Maria Sinayskaya

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Origami Butterfly

Name:	Origami Butterfly — 3D Variation
Designer:	Akira Yoshizawa
Paper ratio:	square
Paper size:	8.5 cm
Model size:	~ 6 cm
Paper:	washi paper, Japan

Today is the 101st birthday of Akira Yoshizawa, the great origami master and the father of modern origami. You have probably noticed that Google marked the occasion with a special origami doodle created by Robert Lang!

Why not celebrate the event by making your own origami butterfly?! Here is a step-by-step tutorial for a 3-d variation of a classic butterfly by Akira Yoshizawa (first spotted on Nick Robinson’s blog), enjoy!

UPD. A few people have asked me about the paper I used to fold those butterflies, so I thought I’d update the post with some photos. It was a set of traditional Japanese washi paper (brought to me from Japan). Try the producer’s web page — Awagami Factory to find out if it’s available in your country.

Awagami Factory Washi Paper

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Tags: Akira Yoshizawa, Animals

97 Comments

talina / March 14, 2012
Thank you for sharing this tutorial. I didn’t know that todays doodle was made by Robert Lang. It’s good to know. Yours models are perfect as usual – excellent paper and folding. Greetings Natalia :-)
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luciacara / March 14, 2012
Very lovely butterflies and composition! And thank you for the variation :).
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- deepika / December 4, 2013
  very easy butterfly for kids
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Мария / March 15, 2012
Ой, спасибочки, надо и себе таких сделать! Какие они милые
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- Magdalena Milkova / March 15, 2012
  Wonderful butterfly!
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  - kassy / November 25, 2012
    i love it so MUCH
Debbie / March 15, 2012
I love this site…thank you so much. I was given a whole pack of Origami paper and can now play…play…play thank you so much!!
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Наталья / March 16, 2012
Прекрасные бабочки!
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mmmo / March 16, 2012
I got it right after 4th time ^^
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Edouard / March 17, 2012
Found this via Pinterest. Seems very easy to do and in any case this looks great. This might drive me to origami :)
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- Praveen Mansinghka / March 30, 2018
  I too found out by pinterest
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j / March 29, 2012
Loved the step by step …until u got to step 9! I was right there with u & then step 9 just showed fingers and then right on to step 10? Sorry, but i’m a beginner & maybe i’m missing something really obvious but it IS step by step directions…could u explain how u got to step 8 & then how u made it look like step 10!
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- Maria / March 30, 2012
  After step 7 (when you folded little corner behind) you turn the model over. Picture 8 shows what you’ve got.
  
  At step 8 you are supposed to fold the model in half along the central line (valley fold). And that’s basically it.
  
  Step 9 just shows the model from the side at this point. Press the butterfly really well in the middle.
  
  And step 10 shows how it looks from above. Ready to fly:) Hope it helps!
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  - Jayne / January 12, 2014
    Got it….that helped, thanks
  - maria angelica / June 14, 2014
    lo siento no pude entender el paso 9 y 10 fui haciendo tal como explican en paso 1 a 8 hasta ahi llegué. por favor explique con foto ya que creo que falta un paso entre 8 y 9, gracias
  - Shanimal / May 3, 2015
    I had the same problem, yours look so much beter than mine, i think because im using the regular oragami paper. yours are so beautiful. going to try some more…
  - pokemon / May 24, 2020
    yes
- Jayne / January 12, 2014
  Hey, I’m with you j! I have done origami, but I didn’t get the finished look after step 9 either. There needs to be a step to say what to do to make it look like step 10. Could we please have step 9.5??
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  - Giovinetta / October 26, 2016
    the same question for me !
animemiz / April 1, 2012
Definitely a great variation for Yoshizawa’s butterfly.. makes the butterfly look so lively!
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Glenn / April 7, 2012
FOUND THESE NOT ONLY EASY BUT REALLY BEAUTIFUL WHEN DONE….. THANKS!!!!
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- Kat / February 21, 2020
  I agree with others what do you do after step 9 ? All instructors were good until the end
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  - Willy Wonka / April 8, 2023
    I thought that the whole thing was very easy including step 9
Tia / April 10, 2012
I love the simplicity of this piece, and how much it looks like a butterfly. Thanks for sharing!
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kendell / April 17, 2012
Thank you ever so much for sharing your tutorial, it is really appreciated. Kindest regards
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Love and Lollipops / April 26, 2012
thank you for the tutorial…I tried them and got it right first time :)
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Jenn / April 30, 2012
It went great until step 6 and 7… I don’t know how I went wrong but I went very wrong. :(
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Theresa Likens / May 4, 2012
a cube of multi colored nonstick notes, a little fishing line, some straws or wire, and some hot glue to attach the string to the butterflies and you have a cute little mobile!
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Walkiria / May 19, 2012
muchas gracias, la mariposa es preciosa, la usaré en mis trabajos, saludos.
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[email protected] / June 22, 2012
Thanks for lovely tutorial. I am pinning this to Pinterest to spread your butterflies there.
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j k / June 24, 2012
I have made these in se real sizes and loved them. Next I am attempting to make them out of 36 & 48 inch paper, to hang from a skylight for a retirement party. Thanks for the great instructions
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Rosia Morrison / July 6, 2012
This is so Cool, Love it !!
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MrsMac / July 25, 2012
Love this. My first attempt at origami and I’m hooked. Thank you!
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- Maria / July 30, 2012
  Origami is very addictive stuff! :)
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Julia / July 29, 2012
Looks easy. Isn’t.
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Januel / August 4, 2012
This was great! I just made it and posted a picture with your link to my blog!
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Heidi / August 10, 2012
Can I ask where you got this beautiful paper. I tried to find it under washi paper but could not find this particular one you used.
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- Maria / August 10, 2012
  My husband brought this paper to me from Japan. Here is a photo on Flickr. I don’t know if one can buy it online, try http://www.awagami.com to find out!
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Niko / October 31, 2012
Thank you for great instructions, the butterflies look very cute and beautiful!
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Pip / November 21, 2012
L O V E! Abslutely loved this tutorial! I’m a beginner at origami and the instructions were so easy to follow! I was just wondering where I can get hold of the paper used in this tutorial and what it’s called? I love the sheer look and the shifting colours! Thank you!
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- Maria / November 22, 2012
  Hi Pip – I’ve just updated the post with some information about the paper I used.
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Holley / November 29, 2012
I didn’t understand how it goes into the butterfly I don’t everything but 9 was where I got lost
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- Maria / November 29, 2012
  Step 9 is not a real step (that’s why there is no directions there), the photo just shows the result of step 8. I guess it might say “Press really hard” but no more than that:) Check if you turned the paper over between step 7 and 8. There also was a similar comment somewhere above asking the same thing, check this out too.
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jayaram / December 28, 2012
Nice.I loved it.Thank you:)
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HADI / January 23, 2013
VERY NICE THANK YOU VERY MUCH VERY ATTRACTIVE AND USEFUL GOOD LUCK
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Lorena / March 14, 2013
Thanks for the tutorial! My kids and I had fun making butterflies today :)
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Shweta / April 2, 2013
thank you very much for explaining the steps for making of butterfly and request you to show more origami work in easy steps, Good Luck!!!
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John / April 19, 2013
I checked the washi factory website that was linked above. But, I was wondering exactly what type of paper he used to do the tutorial.
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- Maria / April 19, 2013
  There is a photo in the post where you can see how the label looks like. I didn’t buy this paper from the website and I don’t know if it’s available there. Just show them this picture and ask.
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Celina / May 10, 2013
Love these little butterflies! I find origami so calming, and the look so perfect on cards.
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agitina / May 25, 2013
Ļoti skaisti un viegli salokāmi tauriņi! Paldies!!!
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Justın BIEBER / May 27, 2013
WOW! I’s very very very good butterfly
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Sandra / July 21, 2013
I was looking for an easy origami butterfly and found this via Pinterest. Thank you so much for sharing this great tutorial. <3
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C Topaz Campbell / August 14, 2013
Thank you! I was looking for an easiyish, yet nice looking origami project for the kids where I volunteer. This is so awesome! I made one as a sample out of simple yellow paper and set it on a table while I did other things. The kids noticed it just sitting there and were begging to make it! What I like is that it is easy enough for the young kids to manage, and the result interests the older kids. Win all around. Thank you!!!!
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- Maria / August 14, 2013
  >>easy enough for the young kids to manage, and the result interests the older kids. Win all around.
  
  I couldn’t agree more) I’ve taught this model to both kids and adults – it always goes great!
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samiksha / August 16, 2013
9th step is bit confusing. hope you can make it little easier for kids
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Karla / September 17, 2013
Gorgeous butterfly. I was wondering was type of paper you used but you included the answer. I thought the name of the paper was “rice paper” because of its transparency and texture. I wish I could have some. Keep on doing beautiful origami stuff.
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- Maria / September 17, 2013
  Rice paper is a term which is used sometimes for some varieties of washi paper (usually white). The funny thing is that it’s not made from rice, as one might think. Traditionally this paper was used to pack rice, that’s how the term was born – or so I was told:)
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izw / October 13, 2013
Hi, i would like to use your diagram for my origami blog on how to fold this elegance butterfly. Thank you in advance.
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- Maria / October 14, 2013
  Sure, feel free to share – just include a link back to this page:)
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  - izw / October 20, 2013
    Yes i will. Thank you :-).
terezka rezka / December 10, 2013
Thank you very much for the tutorial. I have made a great christmas gift:)
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nysa khandelwal / March 28, 2014
wt is water bomb
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- Maria / March 28, 2014
  http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-waterbomb-base.html
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gloria / April 14, 2014
hice las mariposas para ponerlas de adorno a unas materitas que se ponen en venta
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Camila / June 13, 2014
I was pretty bad, above the wings were not like the photo, mine are flattened… not raised: (
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Jasmine / October 25, 2014
my favourite butterfly model
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Kathy Gremo / March 30, 2015
Thank you! Great directions.
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anjana / May 29, 2016
SUCH A EASY AND WONDERFUL BUTTERFLY AND THANK YOU FOR WHO EVER MADE IT
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Melissa / June 1, 2016
I’m not seeing how you open it up….
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ZombieKid112 / October 13, 2016
I’m using this website to make a how-to essay for my school.
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kerajinan tangan / March 21, 2017
very easy and beautiful origami butterfly… thanks.
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Val / July 27, 2017
Thank you very much! This will serve as a beautiful way to deliver a birthday gift.
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Isis / March 9, 2019
Thank you!!! This looks so good in my room!😁
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Lowa Chan / April 17, 2019
you are so talented, so excellent!
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Ashley / April 24, 2019
I loved it so much
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Kevin Blagg / July 20, 2019
I guess I am dumber than “kids” because I cannot make the step 9 transition either
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- Maria / July 20, 2019
  Step 9 just shows the result of step 8, which is the last step of the folding sequence.
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bobby / March 12, 2020
amazing website love it so much i still cant do it tho
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sasha s. / April 20, 2020
yup I just did it
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lola / August 25, 2020
amazing i have alredy made 30 of them
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Marcus Lacson / October 25, 2020
I love origami insects and birds
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- kavya / September 24, 2022
  same!
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Person / November 24, 2020
I love these and literally can’t stop making them!
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Tisa / February 2, 2021
Can I use this as an example for a project I am doing for my library. Thank you!
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Lin / February 3, 2021
This is a great butterfly for all sorts of deco. and crafts!!! Thanks SO much for posting this!!
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blaine / February 12, 2021
it is very hard
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Priyanka Vinod / April 4, 2021
I had some trouble as I didn’t have the sheet which you used to make it that’s why I got it all white
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Sharon / June 16, 2021
Not sure what you mean by Waterbomb in step 3
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Loretta Williams / September 10, 2021
The butterfly is so beautiful.
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kavya / September 24, 2022
the butterfly is so cool i made it for my sisters birthday and she loved it
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sophia / October 14, 2022
i love this so much im making it for a friend
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AcideNitrix / November 9, 2022
Just found this post again, I just wanted to say that I have been making these for years now, I’ve used them to decorate my walls I’ve left them as little presents in bars or elsewhere, I’ve thaught, my kid cousins, how to make them, so thank you for sharing.
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Emily / November 18, 2022
I just started to learn how to make an origami butterfly
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Avril / November 30, 2022
Love it! Although it looks very triangular 🤨
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Emberlyn / February 28, 2023
I love this I just needed to refresh my brain I used to make these all of the time. All of the comments are from back when I was born so I figured I would update it in 2023 lol just to know that your website is still going Love it thank you for helping me refresh my brain
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Hafsa / April 5, 2023
Great but a video would help a lot.
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