In many cultures, goldfish symbolize abundance, good fortune, and prosperity. This time, we will make an elegant origami goldfish together; it may bring you good luck.
This goldfish features a graceful fantail and flowing fins, which spread out like petals of a flower, like it were swimming in a pool. You can make this little paper creation a meaningful gift or decoration for your space.
While my example shows a two-toned effect with orange and white, I actually recommend using paper that’s the same color on both sides for cleaner folds and a more polished finish. This design looks especially stunning in metallic gold or vibrant orange paper that catches the light beautifully.
Check out our Origami Koi Fish, which also features an elegant tail fin that bends like swimming in a pond.
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: 30 minutes
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Total steps: 27
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Material
Prepare a piece of 15×15 cm origami square paper, with the same color on both sides, to create a 10×10 cm origami goldfish.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper in a diamond shape. Fold and unfold along both diagonals to create two creases. Then flip the paper over.
Step 2
Fold and unfold it in half edge-to-edge in both directions to get another two creases.
Step 3
Mountain fold along the left and right creases, and bring the left, right, and top points down to meet the bottom point based on the existing creases. Press the paper flat, getting a smaller square.
Step 4
Fold the bottom right edge to meet the center vertical crease (the top layer only). Repeat on the bottom left edge. Then unfold.
Fold the top point down, along with the line between the two red dots in the third picture. Then, unfold, leaving a triangle.
Step 5
Make mountain fold along the creases you made in the previous step, indicated by two red dash-dot lines (the top layer only). Then push the left and right points inward toward the center. As you push, gently lift the bottom point of the top layer upward along the horizontal crease. Press the paper flat. Finally, fold the top triangle downward.
Step 6
Flip the paper over, and fold the bottom left and bottom right edges to align the center vertical crease. Crease them well, and unfold them.
Step 7
Make mountain fold along the creases you made in the previous step, indicated by two red dash-dot lines (the top layer only). Then push the left and right points inward toward the center. As you push, gently lift the bottom point of the top layer upward along the horizontal crease. Press the paper flat.
Step 8
Fold the right-sided triangle to the left along the center vertical crease. Then fold its left corner of this folded triangle back to the right side a little along the black dashed line (pictures 1-2).
Turn the model over. Fold the top-layer right triangle to the left side along the vertical crease (pictures 3-4).
Finally, fold the right corner of this model to the left side a little, aligning its new edge with the edge of the layer beneath it (pictures 5-6).
Step 9
Rotate the model 90 degrees from back to front, pinch the two top layers together above and the two bottom layers together below (pictures 1-2).
Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise, and finally, another 90 degrees from front to back to lay it flat (pictures 3-5).
Step 10
Fold the top corner down to meet the intersection point at the center, indicated by a red dot, leaving a crease, and unfold it.
Step 11
We will now work on the top half of the model.
First, on the left layer, fold its right edge to the left along the dashed line between the two red dots.
Repeat this same fold on the right layer. These actions will open up a pocket on the top.
Finally, fold down the top corner along the existing crease, and flatten the fold.
Step 12
Focus on the top diamond shape. Fold its bottom corner upward along the black dashed line, so that the point extends just past the top edge.
Then, flip the model.
Step 13
Firstly, fold down the top point (top layer) to meet the intersection point (red dot) formed by the two creases (picture 1).
Next, fold the top-most edge downward along the dashed line connecting the left and right corners (picture 2-3).
Step 14
Fold the model in half vertically, crease it well, and unfold it (pictures 1-2).
Then, gently press down at the midpoint of the top-most edge while simultaneously lifting the left and right sides inward along the center crease. This will collapse the paper and form a small, three-dimensional corner.
Step 15
Turn the model over to make the back side face up, and then rotate it 180 degrees clockwise.
Then, along the red dashed line, form a gentle mountain crease without flattening the paper.
Step 16
Starting on the right side: Take the right half section of the mountain crease you made in the previous step, fold it up along the black dashed line, then flatten it (picture 1).
Repeat this action on the left side. Rotate the model to view it from the left side. With the left side facing up, fold the remaining left half section upward along the black dashed line (pictures 2-3).
Take your time with these precise folds. Finally, press the entire model flat (pictures 4-5).
Note: Ensure your folds are symmetrical on both sides so they align.
Step 17
Rotate the model 90 degrees counterclockwise, and gently unfold and flatten the small flap (pictures 1-2).
Fold up the bottom edge of the small triangle along the black dashed lines. As you do this, make a mountain fold along the crease indicated by the red dashed line (picture 3).
After completing this, fold the flap back and flatten the model (pictures 4-5).
Step 18
Turn the model over, and we will repeat the previous step for the flap on the back side.
Unfold and flatten the small flap (pictures 1-2).
Fold up the bottom edge of the small triangle along the black dashed lines. As you do this, make a mountain fold along the crease indicated by the red dashed line (picture 3).
After completing this, fold the flap back and flatten the model (pictures 4-5).
Step 19
Turn over.
Hold the model with both hands: pinch the right part between your fingers. While holding the left side steady, gently press the right side downward to create a soft curve. Then, flatten the resulting bulge to set the right section at a slightly downward angle.
Step 20
Rotate it 90 degrees from front to back so the opening faces up. Then turn it another 90 degrees counterclockwise so the head is at the top (pictures 1-2).
Fold the top point downward slightly. Then, fold the left and right corners of the new top edge downward and inward toward the center (pictures 3-5).
Now you have finished the shape of the head.
Step 21
You will see a tiny flap on each side of the head. Make a pleat fold on both.
Start with the right one: first, fold the right corner to the left along the dashed line connecting the red dots. Then, fold it back to the right to create a zigzag shape (pictures 1-2).
Repeat this on the left flap (pictures 3-4).
Finally, close the opening of the model (pictures 5-6).
Step 22
Lay the model flat by rotating it 90 degrees from right to left. Lift the tiny flap you created in the previous step and fold it to the right side. Then, fold the small triangle beneath it to the right as well. (pictures 1-2)
Turn the model over and repeat these two folds on the other side. (pictures 3-4).
Finally, stand the model up by rotating it 90 degrees from left to right. You will now see the two head flaps and two front fins you just created. (pictures 5-6)
Note: Hold the model securely as you fold to prevent it from coming apart.
Step 23
Slightly lift the left and right layers to widen the opening on the back side (picture 1). Make a mountain fold along the red dash-dot-dot line connecting the two red dots (picture 2). Create a mountain fold on the left side in the same way (pictures 3-4).
Step 24
Valley fold along the center vertical crease indicated by the black dashed line, (A right-side view is shown in picture 2).
Unfold it, make a mountain fold along the same center vertical line (but exclude the short top section). While you do this, make two valley folds along the two black dashed lines. These folds will naturally close the model from the back. (pictures 3-5).
Tips: These are a few sequential steps: you can create the mountain fold first. Then, hold the head with your left hand and the tail with your right hand. Lift the tip of the tail upward while keeping the head facing down or holding it steady. Lift slowly until two valley folds form, then press them flat.
Step 25
Rotate the model flat with the head on the left.
Working on the tail: Take the top layer and fold its top edge downward, aligning it with the head part. (pictures 1-2)
Fold the second layer in the same way. (picture 3)
For the final (bottom) layer, fold it backward (a mountain fold) so its new edge aligns with the edges you just created. (picture 4)
Finally, unfold all layers. (pictures 5-6)
Step 26
For each layer of the tail: open it up from the bottom. Then, make mountain folds along the two creases on the sides created in the previous step. This will naturally form a valley fold along the center line, causing the tail to point downward.
Step 27
To make the tail more exquisite, for each of the tails, open it up, and you will see a central opening. On each side of it, take the layer and fold it outward a little, as if opening a book, to widen the gap.
What’s Next
And there you have it, your very own origami goldfish! We hope you enjoyed the fold. Ready for your next challenge? Dive into our other origami fish instructions. Happy folding!
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