Origami Lotus Flower Folding Instructions
The origami lotus, also known as the water lily, is fun and easy to make. Find out how to make this beautiful origami lotus by following the photo diagrams below.
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We used a 6 inch square origami paper for this origami lotus. But if you have a larger piece of origami paper, it may be better to use that.
This origami requires the square to become smaller and smaller so it will be easier to handle if you start off with a larger piece of origami paper.
Origami Lotus Step 1: Start with a piece of one-sided origami paper. The colored side can be solid color, or patterned as shown.
With the color side facing up, fold the paper in half along the diagonal . Then unfold, and fold along the other diagonal.
Origami Lotus Step 2: Repeat the fold-unfold for horizontal and vertical midlines. The paper should now have nice reference lines as shown below.
Origami Lotus Step 3: Now fold one corner into the center as shown below.
Origami Lotus Step 4: Repeat this fold for the other three (3) corners. The model should look like below.
Origami Lotus Step 5: Now fold a corner into the center...
Origami Lotus Step 6: ...and repeat for the other three (3) corners. The piece should like below.
Origami Lotus Step 7: Guess what? Fold the corners into the center, again!
Origami Lotus Step 8: The model should look like below.
Origami Lotus Step 9: Now flip it over...
Origami Lotus Step 10: ...and fold the corners to the center again! For the last time, we promise!
Origami Lotus Step 11: Things will then look like below right:
Origami Lotus Step 12: Now reach behind one corner, and start pulling the flap around and to the front. You'll need to allow the adjacent flaps to open, or the paper will tear.
Look at the following four (4) photos carefully to see how this is done.
Origami Lotus Step 13: Now repeat this move for the other three (3) corners. The model will now resemble below.
Origami Lotus Step 14: Now reach behind again, and pull another corner to the front, as shown below right. Do this three (3) more times.
Now your origami water lily (origami lotus) is ready to float on the pond!
The same origami lotus in different lighting.
From Jeff in West Hartford: "My niece brought me some origami paper from Japan for Christmas. Your site is the best one I've found for instructions, and I'm making my way through it!"
From reader in Ireland:
From Arne: "There's a slight difference from your Lotus. Just before folding the first 4 petals up, I slightly bend the corners inwards. Then the lotus stays together better. I also made a little hole in the middle and at the base of one of the secondary petals, then stuck a hairpin through it. Just for fun."
From Jammy in Ottawa "This is my origami Lotus Flower. It's not very good since this is the very first one I've ever made. Also, I know the paper looks a little strange, it's because i didn't have any origami paper, so i used blank paper and colored it in myself. Hope you like it! :)"
Jammy - I think your origami lotus is great! Coloring the paper yourself only makes it more unique!
From reader in Severna Park:
From reader in Dartford:
From Natalia of Galway:
From reader in Stratford " This is my first origami lotus, made with the origami paper that I got for Christmas. I've made it for my wife as it's nearly Valentines day. "
From Cody of Atoka " This is the gift I made for my girlfriend for Valentine's Day. I used the instructions for the Origami Lotus Flower, and I think these turned out amazing! For the stems, I made a small hole in the bottom of the flower and ran pipe cleaners through the hole. Then I put it in a vase, and decorated it with some decorative marbles. Thanks so much for these instructions and tips!! :) "
Cody - What a fantastic and beautiful bouquet of origami lotuses! I'm sure your girlfriend will cherish them for a long time! Thanks for sending the photo in!
From Clara of Dover: "Origami Lotuses bunched together"
From Ramona in Berlin " I enjoy your site very much. Greetings from Berlin!"
From reader in San Jose "We made an origami box, a koi fish, lotus flowers, and ninja stars. Thanks for giving easy origami instructions!"
From Brittney in Colorado Springs " My huge origamilotus made of packing paper <3"
From Nessa in Louisville:
From reader in Jeddah:
