What Is This Thing Called Origami Anyway?

Information on this page was supplied by paperfolding designer and author David Mitchell. More detailed information on specialist aspects of origami can be accessed at www.origamiheaven.com

Origami is a Japanese word meaning 'folding paper' that has been adopted into English and many other languages. The Japanese word origami and the English word paperfolding mean exactly the same thing.

Every time you fold a letter to fit it inside an envelope or turn down the corner of a page to mark your place in a book you are doing origami. This kind of paperfolding is called everyday origami.

You are also doing origami if you fold paper to make toys or novelties, models of animals, birds and flowers, mathematical models or abstract sculptural forms. This kind of paperfolding is called craft origami. Craft origami designers often record and publish their designs in diagram form so that other paperfolders can enjoy folding the designs for themselves.