One square of paper, fourteen steps, no glue.

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Origami tulip

Fold one square sheet into a blooming tulip in fourteen steps, starting from a Water-bomb Base and finishing with four petals peeled open.

  • Facile
  • 14 étapes
  • About 12 minutes
  • 1 square sheet

Paper: One 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) square of Kami origami paper.

Your tulip is ready!

14

numbered steps from square to tulip

4

creases that set up the Water-bomb Base

15cm

square Kami paper

0

cuts, glue or tape needed

Before you fold

The diagrams use arrows and fold marks to show the direction of each move.

  • Dashed line

    Fold along here. The line disappears inside the model once folded.

  • Curved arrow

    This shows the direction the paper travels.

  • Solid arrows

    Fold or press the indicated layers in this direction.

  • Shading

    The shaded part is the layer currently facing you.

Steps 1 to 5 build the Water-bomb Base, so crease them sharply. Step 13 needs a puff of air, so keep the bottom hole open until then.

Fold your tulip

Step 1 of 14

  1. Step 1: Crease one diagonal

    Step 01

    Crease one diagonal

    Start with the white side up. Fold the paper in half diagonally and unfold.

    You should seeA flat square with one diagonal crease running corner to corner.

  2. Step 2: Crease the other diagonal

    Step 02

    Crease the other diagonal

    Fold in half diagonally the other way and unfold. Turn the paper over.

    You should seeA square with both diagonals creased, now with the coloured side facing you.

  3. Step 3: Crease the vertical centre

    Step 03

    Crease the vertical centre

    Fold in half vertically and unfold.

    You should seeThe two diagonals plus a vertical crease through the middle.

  4. Step 4: Crease the horizontal centre

    Step 04

    Crease the horizontal centre

    Fold in half horizontally and unfold. Turn the paper over.

    You should seeA square marked with four creases meeting at the centre point.

  5. Step 5: Collapse the Water-bomb Base

    Step 05

    Collapse the Water-bomb Base

    Collapse the model into a Water-bomb Base, bringing the sides in as the top drops down.

    You should seeA flat triangle made of four layers, with two loose flaps on each side.

  6. Step 6: Fold the bottom corners up

    Step 06

    Fold the bottom corners up

    Fold the bottom corners of the top layer up to the centre line.

    You should seeA diamond on the front face, with both lower corners meeting at the top point.

  7. Step 7: Repeat behind

    Step 07

    Repeat behind

    Turn the model over and repeat step 6 on this side.

    You should seeA matching diamond on the back, so both faces now look the same.

  8. Step 8: Flip one flap each side

    Step 08

    Flip one flap each side

    Flip one flap to the right in the front and back, so fresh surfaces face you.

    You should seeA smooth diamond front and back, with the loose edges rearranged.

  9. Step 9: Fold the flaps past the centre

    Step 09

    Fold the flaps past the centre

    Fold the flaps of the top layers slightly past the centre line.

    You should seeTwo flaps overlapping a little at the middle of the diamond.

  10. Step 10: Tuck one flap into the other

    Step 10

    Tuck one flap into the other

    Open up the left 'pocket', and insert the right flap inside it.

    You should seeThe two flaps locked together, holding the front face closed.

  11. Step 11: Repeat behind

    Step 11

    Repeat behind

    Turn the model over and repeat steps 9 and 10 on this side.

    You should seeBoth faces locked, leaving a narrow shape with a small hole at the bottom.

  12. Step 12: Fold and unfold the bottom

    Step 12

    Fold and unfold the bottom

    Fold and unfold the bottom section from both sides.

    You should seeA crease across the lower part of each side, ready to shape the base.

  13. The inflated tulip base seen from the side, puffed out with a flat square bottom.
    Folding tip: if the balloon doesn't inflate, try pinching the top while blowing. If it still doesn't work, gently flatten the bottom with one finger.
    Step 13: Inflate the model

    Step 13

    Inflate the model

    Blow into the bottom hole to inflate and flatten the model. The bottom should be a square shape.

    You should seeA puffed-up body sitting on a flat square bottom.

  14. Step 14: Peel out the petals

    Step 14

    Peel out the petals

    Peel out all 4 outer layers to create the petals.

    You should seeFour petals curving outward from the inflated base — your finished tulip.

Use the arrow keys to move between steps

Step 1 of 14: Crease one diagonal

Completed origami tulip with four petals curling outward from an inflated square base.

Your tulip is ready!

Curl each petal over a finger so it holds its shape, then stand the tulip on its flat square base.

Traditional design, diagrammed by Kelly Tan and published by Origami.me.

If the tulip will not stand
Flatten the bottom square against the table so the four base edges sit level.
If a petal tears as you peel it
Open the layer more slowly from the tip, keeping the paper flat against your thumb.
If the model will not inflate
Check that step 12 left the bottom section unfolded, then blow steadily into the small hole.
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