Introduction: Origami Koi Fish

By ReArtStudio
About: Hi! I'm Christopher, and I make all kinds of cool stuff. I mostly focus on upcycling materials (see Cardboard Box Furniture), making complex projects more accessible (see Cloisonne Tea Tray), and making cultur…

Koi are a beautiful species of fish that are often seen decoratively in koi ponds. In this Instructable, you will learn how to fold your own origami Koi fish!

Supplies

  • One sheet of origami paper. Many colors are okay: white, red, orange, yellow, black, and gray are all fine.

Step 1: Prep Folds, Pt. 1

Fold the square origami paper in half as shown.

Step 2: Prep Folds, Pt. 2

With open side up, fold two equal triangles towards the middle line as shown

Step 3: Prep Folds, Pt. 3

Fold the top of triangle on the left side down towards the side of this triangle as shown. 

Step 4: Prep Folds, Pt. 4

Unfold and rotate 90 degrees. Find the middle point C between marked folding points A and B.

Step 5: Prep Folds, Pt. 5

Fold to make a crease along point C and parallel to the top line. 

Step 6: Prep Folds, Pt. 6

Fold the right side up and left (center at point C, see above image). Unfold.

Step 7: Prep Folds, Pt. 7

Fold the corner DD against the blue crease. Unfold.

Step 8: Fish Back, Pt. 1

Mountain fold along blue creases and valley fold along green creases. 

Step 9: Fish Back, Pt. 2

Mountain fold along blue crease

Step 10: Fish Back, Pt. 3

Fold back fin along the marked place as shown.

Step 11: Fish Back, Pt. 4

Flip over, and flatten fold as shown

Step 12: Head, Pt. 1

Fold a line at E, parallel to the blue line, as shown. Then fold up G towards the tip H. Note folding the two ends properly along the side slopes.

Step 13: Head, Pt. 2

Fold point I onto point I’, then fold back along the line JJ’ as shown. Do the same on the other side.

Step 14: Side Fin, Pt. 1

Fold along line KK’ to create a crease, unfold. Then fold down to align lines using the crease as shown. Do the same on the other side.

Step 15: Side Fin, Pt. 2

Fold along line LL’ to create a crease, unfold. Fold up as shown to complete the fin. Do the same on the other side.

Step 16: Tail, Pt. 1

Fold along MM’ back to hide. Similarly do the same on the other side.

Step 17: Tail, Pt. 2

Fold along NN’ to create a crease, unfold. Then fold in along the crease as shown. Flip fold to the left.

Step 18: Tail, Pt. 3

Fold the other side as shown.

Step 19: Head Details

Fold head in a bit, as shown. Do the same on the other side.

Step 20: Body Details

Mountain fold to form fish body; side fold-in as shown as fish side body for both sides.

Step 21: Secure With Glue

Apply glue to the back and back fin. Fix the head and fail in position as well.

Step 22: Make It Realistic

Use a pencil to roll some curves in the fins and tail.