What age is this origami Lotus Flower for?

About Age 10+. It is rated “Challenge” (level 4 of 5), with 9 steps, and takes about 20 minutes.

What paper do I need?

1 sheet of origami paper (double-sided paper makes both sides of the petals colorful). Thin paper works best No scissors or glue are needed.

What is it called in Japanese?

In Japanese it is “はすのはな”. The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.

Can I print the instructions?

Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.

★★★★Challenge Flowers & PlantsTraditional

How to make an origami Lotus FlowerはすのはなLotus Flower

A lotus flower made by folding the corners to the center four times, then pulling out two rows of corners from the back and opening the center triangles to make three rows of petals. A traditional model that takes a little patience.

9 steps
about 20 min
1 sheet of origami paper (double-sided paper makes both sides of the petals colorful). Thin paper works best
Age 10+

How to fold

半分に折って、折りすじをつける（たて・よこ）
Fold in half both ways and unfold.
四つの角を、まん中に合わせて折る
Fold all four corners to the center.
もう一度、四つの角をまん中に合わせて折る
Fold the four corners to the center again.
もう一度、四つの角をまん中に合わせて折る（3回め）
Fold the four corners to the center one more time.
うらがえす
Turn it over.
もう一度、四つの角をまん中に合わせて折る（4回め）
Fold the four corners to the center again (the fourth time).
うらの、いちばん下の紙の角を引き出して、おもてへ折りかえす。4つのかどとも（花びら1だんめ）
Reach behind, pull out the corner of the bottom layer, and fold it to the front. Do this at all four corners. These are the first petals.
まん中をおさえたまま、うらの角を外へ引っぱり出します。
そのつぎの層の角も、4つとも引き出す（2だんめ）
Pull out the corners of the next layer, too. This is the second row.
1だんめの花びらのすぐ下から出てきます。図では1だんめにかくれて見えにくくなります。
花びらを起こし、まん中の4つの三角も外へ開いて、形をととのえる
Lift the petals up, open the four center triangles outward, and shape the flower.
内がわの花びらほど、まっすぐに立てます。まん中の三角は、辺のところから外へ開きます。
できあがり！内がわの花びらほどまっすぐ立てて、外がわは横に広げると、はすの花のできあがり！水にうかべるように、平らなお皿にのせてかざってみよう。
Finished! Stand the inner petals up straight and spread the outer ones wide. Your lotus flower is finished! Try putting it on a flat plate, as if it is floating on a pond.

Fun fact

ハスの花は、夏の朝早くに開いて、お昼ごろには閉じてしまいます。わたしたちが食べる「れんこん」は、ハスの地下のくきです。

A lotus flower opens early on a summer morning and closes again around noon. Renkon, the lotus root eaten in Japan, is actually the lotus plant’s underground stem.

Origami English in this model

❓ FAQ

What age is this origami Lotus Flower for?: About Age 10+. It is rated “Challenge” (level 4 of 5), with 9 steps, and takes about 20 minutes.
What paper do I need?: 1 sheet of origami paper (double-sided paper makes both sides of the petals colorful). Thin paper works best No scissors or glue are needed.
What is it called in Japanese?: In Japanese it is “はすのはな”. The word origami (折り紙) itself means “folding paper”: ori = fold, kami = paper.
Can I print the instructions?: Yes. “Print the diagram” puts every step on one page (or a PDF), and the practice sheet has the crease lines printed on the paper. Free for home and classroom use.