The whale turned into a cube! Origami is diverse and a sheet of paper can be turned into any shape you like. Let’s meet this unique and creative origami creation: the Cute Whale.
Unlike typical origami animal models, this cute whale stands out with its distinct cube-like head, which is even more aesthetically pleasing, making it perfect as a decorative piece. I’m sure you’ll be impressed. Due to its cube-like structure, you can even use it like a box to store small items.
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: 20 minutes
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Difficulty: Middle
Material
Prepare a piece of 15×15 cm origami square paper, with different colors on each side, to create a 5×10 cm origami cute whale. Feel free to customize this model by using various colored square paper, to better fit your personal style.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper with the desired display color side down to begin folding, fold it in half horizontally, and unfold it.
Step 2
Fold it in half vertically, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 3
Flip the paper over.
Step 4
Fold the four points to meet the center intersection point formed by the two creases you just made.
Step 5
Hold the paper in your hand so that it bends in the same way as the picture shows, like an “S”, then flatten this edge, creating two creases to divide this edge into three equal parts.
Step 6
Rotate the paper 45 degrees counterclockwise.
Step 7
Fold up the bottom edge to align with the upper one of the two creases you just made, and unfold it.
Step 8
Fold down the top edge to align with the lower one of the two creases you just made, and unfold it.
Step 9
Fold the left edge to the right along the dotted line, to align with the line connecting by the two red points. (the red points are formed by the intersection of the two creases you just made and the slits).
Crease it well then unfold.
Step 10
Fold the right edge to align with the crease you just made, crease it well, and unfold it.
Step 11
Unfold the top triangle.
Step 12
Fold the top point down along the crease shown by the dotted line, then fold the top edge of the paper down to align with the top edge of the square. Next, fold the top edge of the paper down along the crease shown by the black dotted line.
Step 13
Focus on the left triangle, and fold the left edge to align with the upper horizontal crease on it, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 14
Similarly, fold the right edge of the right triangle to align with the upper horizontal crease, and unfold it.
Step 15
Fold the top point of the bottom triangle down along the crease indicated by the dotted line, then fold the top edge of this triangle down to align with its bottom edge, leaving a crease then unfold it. Next, unfold this bottom layer.
Step 16
Turn over the paper.
Step 17
Create two creases as the picture shows indicated by the red dotted lines, these dotted lines connect two intersection points.
Step 18
Bring up the top, left, and right edges along the existing creases shown by the dotted lines, creating three standing edges.
Step 19
Rotate it 90 degrees from the left to the right, making the left edge face up.
Step 20
Take the top left edge of the yellow triangle, and fold it down along the crease shown by the dotted line. Then press down the top corner along the existing crease, and pull the right layer to the right. Finally, flatten the fold.
Step 21
Fold the bottom point of this pink square to meet its top point along the crease indicated by the dotted line.
Step 22
Fold up the flap along the dotted line.
Step 23
Fold the top left edge along the dotted line to align with the crease.
Step 24
Fold the top corner down diagonally.
Step 25
Fold this flap toward the bottom right along the dotted line.
Step 26
Turn over the model, to shape this edge.
Step 27
Like before, fold the top right edge of the yellow triangle down along the dotted line [picture 1 ], and push down the top corner along the existing crease [picture 2], then fold the bottom point of the pink square to meet its top point [picture 3].
Next, fold up the flap along the dotted line [picture 4], and finally fold the top right edge to align with the slanted crease.
Step 28
Fold down the top corner diagonally, and fold the flap to the bottom left along the crease indicated by the dotted line.
Step 29
Rotate the model 90 degrees from the right to the left.
Step 30
Shape the creases indicated by the dotted lines from the back, then flatten the bottom part along the existing creases.
Step 31
Create two creases shown by the red dotted lines, and these two red lines are the two edges on the back as you can see in the second picture, indicated by the black dotted lines, so you can shape them from the front.
Step 32
Fold the bottom left and right points together at the back.
Step 33
Rotate the model 90 degrees counterclockwise, then rotate it 90 degrees from the front to the back.
Step 34
Fold the right point of the small square along the dotted line diagonally to the left point, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 35
Rotate it 90 degrees from the back to the front., and unfold the tail part.
Step 36
Focus on the right square, fold its bottom edge to align with its left edge, crease it well then unfold it. Repeat this for its top edge, fold it to align with its left edge, and unfold it.
Step 37
Push the midpoint of the right edge to the left side based on the creases indicated by the dotted lines.
Step 38
Rotate the model 90 degrees from the front to the back, then fold down the triangle for only 90 degrees, and fold the bottom right corner backward along the dotted line.
Step 39
Rotate it 180 degrees from the left to the right, in the same way, push down the triangle for only 90 degrees, and fold the bottom left corner backward along the dotted line.
What’s Next
This is the final shape of an origami cute whale, whether you use it as a decoration or give it as a gift, it will surely be appreciated. Now you can explore our other origami animal instructions. Happy folding!
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