Use a dollar to fold a vivid wishing elf! The size of the dollar is just right for making this koi fish. The fan-shaped tail and streamlined body make it look so graceful, as if it is swimming in the water. The two tentacles at the mouth add to its charm. If you use dollars to make it, it is no longer an ordinary origami koi fish, but a koi that carries the meaning of wealth. It may bring you more wealth and money!
If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.
- Folding time: 15 minutes
- Paper: A dollar bill
- Difficulty: Easy
Material
Get a 1 dollar bill to create an origami koi fish. A slightly new and crisp bill would create a better effect.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Fold the bill in half vertically, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold the top edge to align with the right edge, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 3
Fold the top edge to align with the left edge, crease it well, and then unfold it.
Step 4
Fold the top edge to meet the intersection point formed by the two creases you just made, leaving a crease, then unfold it.
Step 5
Fold the left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease, and unfold them.
Step 6
Bring up the left, right, and top edges along the creases indicated by the dotted lines, then flatten the fold.
Step 7
Flip the bill from left to right.
Step 8
Fold the top left and right corners along the dotted lines to meet the middle vertical line [picture 1], then fold up the two corners of the two top flaps along the creases indicated by the dotted lines [picture 2].
Step 9
Fold the dollar in half vertically from the right to the left.
Step 10
Fold the right edge to the left along the black dotted line.
Step 11
Fold this edge back to the right side to align with the right edge indicated by the red line, crease it very well, and unfold it.
Step 12
Expand the paper to the original shape like the one in step 8.
Step 13
Turn over the paper from left to right.
Step 14
Mountain fold the creases shown by the red dotted lines, and fold them to align with the middle vertical crease along the black dotted lines.
Step 15
Turn over the model from left to right, then fold it in half vertically from right to left.
Step 16
Fold up the bottom right corner of the top layer along the black dotted line, then flip the dollar over from left to right, and fold the bottom left corner of the top layer as well.
Step 17
Fold up the bottom left corner along the dotted line, creating a small triangle. Then fold the right edge indicated by the red line of the triangle to align with its left edge indicated by the blue line, and finally unfold them.
Step 18
Expand the model.
Step 19
Turn over the fish from left to right, then mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines, and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines.
Step 20
Fold up the tail part from the right side, and crease it very well.
Step 21
Flip the fish over, and fold down the top left and right corners a little.
Step 22
Turn over the fish, this is the final shape of an origami koi fish.
Want to expand the family of origami fish? Why not use origami paper to reproduce the same origami koi fish? Using paper with one side red and the other side white can better restore the appearance of the koi fish, which is full of oriental aesthetics.
The origami snapper imitates the head of a fish with a very sharp mouth. It is more playable and interactive, when you press the back point of the snapper’s head, it will open and close the mouth.
Origami Koi Fish
Origami Snapper
What’s Next
That’s your adorable origami koi fish made with a dollar bill. Next, you can check out our other origami fish ideas. Happy folding!
