WHEN you hear the word origami, chances are you are picturing the classic folded paper crane.

Origami – which loosely translated means ‘folding paper’ – is commemorated annually on International Origami Day on November 11.

The day encourages the public to learn more about the art form.

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the origin of origami. Some have attributed it to China, around 2000 years ago – right after the invention of paper, while others to Japan. However, there has been no conclusive evidence to support either one of these theories.

The term origami – in modern times – refers to any form of paper folding, regardless of the culture or origin, where a square piece of paper is transformed into a tiny ‘sculpture’.

There are a vast variety of designs, techniques, methods, tools and materials. While some practitioners snub the use of any tool or cutting or glueing of paper, others combine a number of identical pieces to create ‘modular’ designs or 3D origami.

Another technique is known as wet-folding, where the practitioner will slightly dampen the paper so that it can be easily moulded. The designs end up with a more rounded, rather than geometric shape. Wet-folding is often used with animal designs – to make them look more real.

Initially, origami designs were immobile, however, with some modern designs, practitioners can create ‘action origami’. These include designs that can fly (or soar), move a limb or jump.

Before industrialisation, paper remained an expensive commodity, so origami was mainly said to have been practised by the wealthy.

Today, we are much more privileged and even enjoy various kinds of papers that can be used for origami.

To celebrate this international day, we challenge our readers to try this – or any other – tutorial and to share their completed designs with us on social media.