How to make an origami swan
Origami Swan: try all 11 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
The traditional kite-base swan, with a pointed tail, a long neck and a small head.
- You need
- One square of thin origami paper. No glue or scissors.
- Start
- Start white side up, with one corner pointing up.
- Tips
- Line the lower edges up with the center crease before pressing.
- Pull the neck up slowly, letting the body open a little at its root, then press the new folds flat.
Your model is ready
The swan is folded. Press the neck and head folds firmly. To stand your paper swan, spread the two sides of the body a little.
Step-by-step diagrams
Steps 1–6
- 1
Crease the middle
Fold the left corner to the right corner, press, and open.
- 2
Fold the left edge in
Fold the lower left edge to the center crease.
- 3
Fold the right edge in
Fold the lower right edge to the center crease the same way.
- 4
Turn over
Turn the kite over, keeping its long point at the bottom.
- 5
Narrow the left side
Fold the lower left edge to the center crease, taking all its layers with it.
- 6
Narrow the right side
Fold the lower right edge to the center crease the same way.
Steps 7–11
- 7
Fold the neck up
Fold the bottom point up to the top point and press. This long point becomes the neck.
- 8
Fold the head down
Fold the tip of the neck back down along the line, a short way, for the head.
- 9
Fold in half
Fold the right half behind the left along the center crease.
- 10
Turn the swan
Turn the model so the folded edge slopes up to the tail at the back.
- 11
Pull the neck up and the head out
Hold the body. Pull the neck up and push its root in between the body's layers so it stands up over the body, then press. Pull the head forward between the layers of the neck the same way and press.
- ✓
Finish
The swan is folded. Press the neck and head folds firmly. To stand your paper swan, spread the two sides of the body a little.
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.
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.
Squid ↗
An Origami Tutor fold-and-slit squid with a long pointed mantle, eight shorter arms and two long tentacles. Fold and cut one tall rectangle, then spread the free strips below its body.