Origami is one of the most useful crafts for developing a child. Where to start getting to know him? This art of creating fancy paper figures has a rich history. It came to us from distant ancient Japan. Once upon a time, only selected people of this country owned the origami. One of the simplest figures is considered a crane. It is from him that acquaintance with this art will begin.
A bit of history
In medieval Japan, it was customary in noble circles to write notes to each other and put them into bizarre figurines - origami. The simplest of these is “tsuru,” which in translation means a paper crane. It develops in only twelve additions. Crane was a symbol of happiness and longevity. This gift was treated as a sacred relic. The person who was given the “tsuru” was lucky. The Japanese believed that if you add a thousand of these cranes, then the most cherished desire will come true.
The story of one girl
One story happened not so long ago with this legend ... Everyone knows that in 1945 an atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. Two kilometers from the explosion, a little girl was accidentally called Sadako Sasaki.
It seemed that the child had passed the consequences of a nuclear explosion: there were no wounds, no abrasions, no external injuries. But nine years later, radiation sickness made itself felt. The girl was dying of leukemia.
Then Sadako's friend showed her paper cranes and instructions on how to make it. She told Sasaki a beautiful ancient Japanese legend about a thousand figures. This gave the poor girl hope for a happy future. She clung to her from her last strength. When Sadako got a little better, she immediately got down to work, doing cranes one after another ... but did not have time. In 1955, she died.
When the children of the whole world were told about this story, they began to send paper cranes to Hiroshima, as a symbol of peace, a protest against the war. Later, the Peace Museum was built in this city, and Sadako Sasaki erected a monument with the inscription: "This is our cry, this is our prayer, world peace."
Here's a story connected with this simple origami figure ... So how to make these cranes? Thanks to Japan, we now know how to make paper cranes. Step-by-step instructions are provided below.
Origami Paper Crane
The classic origami version is as follows:
- To perform such a crane, you need to take paper without fail of a yellow color, square in shape. If an A4 sheet is available, then it must be folded diagonally. You get a square, and just cut off the excess part of the paper.
- A sheet of paper should be folded in half to form a rectangle. The fold lines must be ironed.
- The square is folded in half again. Unroll a sheet of paper.
- They fold the blank of the future crane out of paper diagonally, unfold it, and fold it again diagonally. All lines must be ironed properly.
- Then you should again unfold a square sheet of paper and fold it along the lines so that you get a "star".
- If you expand the square, the outlines of small squares will be visible at the lower corners of the “star”. According to these outlines, it is necessary to lay a sheet of paper so that “two squares” are obtained.
- Take one of the corners of the square (the corners are the lower ones, consisting of two layers of paper) and bend it along, to the middle of the diagonal. So do the other three remaining angles.
- Then the corners unfold to make squares with folds.
- According to the instructions on how to make a crane out of paper, the most difficult thing comes. It is necessary to bend the corner of the square. To do this, you can use the ruler to set the required transverse fold. The angle is bent over the previously laid folds so that a large rhombus is obtained. The same action must be performed on the other hand. The result is a lozenge with "panties."
- That part of the rhombus, "where there are panties" must still be worked out. It is necessary to bend the outer parts of the "legs" lengthwise inward (they bend approximately in half, the bent parts are obtained in the form of triangles).
- Turn the whole rhombus to itself side. Bend “one of the legs” up so that the untouched part of the large figure and the bent part are approximately at the same level. Fold the figure along the existing lines, pull out the curved “leg of the rhombus” a little, smooth the crease.
- The same thing to do with another "leg of a rhombus." Get some semblance of a "crown." One of the teeth of this semblance must be bent, it turns out the head of a crane. Another tooth will be the tail of the bird.
- The remaining untouched parts of the large rhombus, in the form of triangles, are bent. These are wings of paper cranes.
There are flying, moving models, options for every taste and color. There are many ways to make a paper crane, but they were all designed on the basis of the classic.
Cranes in the interior
Some modern designers use paper birds to decorate houses and apartments, and for festive occasions offices and workrooms.
Cranes suspended on threads from a chandelier and flowerpots, sitting on boring shelves and tables, can transform rooms. Such funny, bold decisions always cause good smiles on the faces of others.
Jewelry in the form of paper cranes
More recently, an interesting idea came up with the French masters of the studio Claire & Arnaud. They came up with silver and gold jewelry in the form of origami figures. The first such product was a crane made of silver - a symbol of peace, goodness and fulfillment of desires.
Children make origami
Many children are fond of origami. There is a large amount of literature about this, teachers conduct origami classes in schools in elective classes.
One of the very first figures who are taught to do in such lessons is the crane. This is very useful for any child: perseverance, imagination, logical thinking, fine motor skills develop, and as a result, intelligence grows. In addition, the crane, thanks to its difficult history, teaches children good, love and mutual understanding.
Origami is a very exciting experience with its rich history dating back to Ancient Japan. The good news is that people have been able to maintain their culture and customs for millennia. The ability to master the art of origami today has spread throughout the world, so now any person who wants to make a paper figure can do it.