Beginner Origami Butterfly

Butterflies are one of the most loved insects. This origami pattern is perfect for creating paper butterflies to decorate your bedroom or other living space.

1 piece of origami paper or 8.5 x 11 paper cut into a square

1 pair of scissors

Clear tape or glue (optional)

Lay out your square paper on a flat surface with the straight side facing down. Take one of the sides and fold the paper in half. Press firmly on the fold to create a crease.

Unfold the paper, turn it, and fold it again on the other side, so four squares are created from the creases. Unfold your paper and return it to its square orientation in front of you.

Rotate the paper so that the corner is facing down. Take the bottom corner and pull it up to match with the top corner. Push down on the fold to crease it.

Unfold the paper, rotate it, and repeat on the other side.

Unfold and lay the paper down in a diamond orientation. Flip the paper over so that the middle point where the creases meet is raised.

Take the paper and push in the right two triangles until they invert. Fold and crease it with your hand.

Repeat on the other side, creasing the fold so that it stays in place. Ensure both sides are creased and that you have a triangle shape in front of you.

Lay the paper down on the table and fold the triangle in half symmetrically. Be sure to crease the fold.

Take your scissors and round off the corner of the triangle. Ensure it is the corner that has multiple flaps and is not one of the corners where the paper connects.

Open up the triangle. There should be two flaps of paper on each side. Take one of the flaps and pull it up toward the top to create a diamond shape. Repeat on the other side.

Flip the butterfly over with the pointed part facing down. Take the pointed part and pull it up toward the top of the butterfly. The paper may resist, so pull it slowly and gently. Pull it until a small triangle is visible over the top of the butterfly. Fold that triangle down onto the other side of the butterfly.

For copy or thicker paper, it is best to use some glue or clear tape to keep the triangle from popping up.

You are finished! You now have a beautiful origami butterfly.