2D diagram

How to make an origami sampan

Origami Sampan: try all 22 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.

IntermediateAn Origami Tutor design22 steps8 × 8 in · One square

An Origami Tutor design for the traditional Chinese sampan boat: tapered prow and stern, folded gunwales, and an open hull.

You need: One square of thin origami paper. No glue or scissors.
Make a square from printer paper ↗
Start: Start white side up, with one corner pointing up. The colored reverse will show outside the hull and on its two canopies.
Tips: Keep the small tip folds closed inside the larger corners.
Use thin paper so the overlapping rim is easier to crease.

Finish

Your model is ready

Part the two sides of the hull gently along the keel. The pointed ends rise into the prow and stern, opening the sampan boat.

3D paper

Whole sequence Finish

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22 steps · press any step to watch it in 3D

Valley fold Mountain fold Color side White side

1
Find the middle across
Fold the top corner to the bottom corner, press, and open.
2
Find the middle lengthwise
Fold the left corner to the right corner, press, and open.
3
Mark the top corner fold
Bring the top corner to the center, press, and open it again.
4
Mark the right corner fold
Bring the right corner to the center, press, and open it again.
5
Mark the bottom corner fold
Bring the bottom corner to the center, press, and open it again.
6
Mark the left corner fold
Bring the left corner to the center, press, and open it again.

7
Fold the small top tip
Fold the top tip to the crossing halfway between it and the center.
8
Fold the small right tip
Fold the right tip to the crossing halfway between it and the center.
9
Fold the small bottom tip
Fold the bottom tip to the crossing halfway between it and the center.
10
Fold the small left tip
Fold the left tip to the crossing halfway between it and the center.
11
Fold the top corner in
Fold the top corner inward on its larger guide crease, keeping the small tip folded.
12
Fold the right corner in
Fold the right corner inward on its larger guide crease, keeping the small tip folded.

13
Fold the bottom corner in
Fold the bottom corner inward on its larger guide crease, keeping the small tip folded.
14
Fold the left corner in
Fold the left corner inward on its larger guide crease, keeping the small tip folded.
15
Turn over
Turn the small square over.
16
Fold the upper edge in
Fold the upper edge down to the middle.
17
Fold the lower edge in
Fold the lower edge up to meet it at the middle seam.
18
Fold the upper left hull corner
Fold the upper left corner to the middle seam, making a sloping end.

19
Fold the upper right hull corner
Fold the upper right corner to the middle seam, making a sloping end.
20
Fold the lower left hull corner
Fold the lower left corner to the middle seam, making a sloping end.
21
Fold the lower right hull corner
Fold the lower right corner to the middle seam, making a sloping end.
22
Fold the boat in half
Fold the boat in half along the center seam to bring the two sides of the hull together.
✓
Finish
Part the two sides of the hull gently along the keel. The pointed ends rise into the prow and stern, opening the sampan boat.