How to make an origami shark
Origami Shark: try all 10 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
An Origami Tutor fold-and-slit shark with a long low body, a dorsal fin, a small pectoral fin and two separate tail lobes. One short cut divides the tail.
- You need
- One square of thin paper colored alike on both sides, and scissors. A pen for an eye and gills is optional. No glue.
- Start
- Start with one corner at the top. Use paper colored alike on both sides so the folded fins match the body.
- Tips
- Stop the tail slit at its marked inner end; do not cut through the body.
- The long folded edge is the belly. Keep it level when displaying the shark.
Your model is ready
Keep the dorsal fin upright and ease the near fin away from the belly. Add a small eye and three gill marks if you like.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Make the body triangle
Fold the lower corner up to the upper corner. Keep the long folded edge along the bottom.
- 2
Lower the near fin
Fold only the front upper point down across the marked line. Its tip projects below the belly.
- 3
Reach the back point
Turn over, keeping the long folded edge below.
- 4
Shorten the back point
Fold the remaining upper point down across the same line.
- 5
Raise the dorsal fin
Fold the end of this flap back upward, leaving a pleat along the back.
- 6
Show the near side
Turn over again. The left point is the nose; the right point becomes the tail.
- 7
Divide the tail
Cut from the right point along the short sloping line through both layers. Stop at the marked inner end, keeping the body joined.
- 8
Raise the upper tail lobe
Fold the upper half of the divided tail up on its slanted root line.
- 9
Lower the tail lobe
Fold the lower half behind along the other slant so the tail forks above and below the body.
- 10
Press the near fin flat
Fold the small point below the belly upward along the belly line. Leave the body and tail still.
- ✓
Finish
Keep the dorsal fin upright and ease the near fin away from the belly. Add a small eye and three gill marks if you like.
Fold next
Crane ↗
The crane begins with a square base. Two petal folds turn it into a bird base with separate points for the neck and tail; the broad flaps become the wings. Work through one side of the body before repeating the narrowing folds on the back.
Swan ↗
The traditional kite-base swan, with a pointed tail, a long neck and a small head.
Pig ↗
The traditional kindergarten pig, recorded in 1863. It stands on four pointed feet, with a raised tail and a short snout.
Japanese rabbit ↗
The cupboard-base Japanese rabbit recorded in 1935, with long ears and a small turned-up tail. Fold its broad head, narrow ears, body and reversed tail.