Two squares of paper, eleven folds, no glue.

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Creativity in every crease

Origami ninja star

Fold two squares of paper into two units, then lock them together into a four-pointed shuriken.

  • Super easy
  • 11 steps
  • About 10 minutes
  • 2 square sheets

Paper: Two 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) squares of Kami, in two different colours.

Completed ninja star

11

folds from flat squares to star

2

creases you make before folding

15cm

two square sheets in two colours

0

cuts, glue or tape needed

Before you fold

Every diagram uses the same three marks. Learn them once and the rest of the page reads itself.

  • Dashed line

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

  • Curved arrow

    Which way the paper travels. A double-headed arrow means fold it, then unfold.

  • Solid arrows

    Push here with your fingers while the layers move apart.

  • Colour and white

    Colour is the front of the sheet, white is the back.

Work on a hard, flat table and press each crease with your thumbnail. The two units only lock together if the folds are sharp.

Fold your ninja star

Step 1 of 11

  1. Step 1: Crease both squares

    Step 01

    Crease both squares

    Start with two identical squares, white side up. Fold and unfold each sheet in half vertically and horizontally to create two centrelines.

    You should seeTwo flat squares, each with a cross of creases through the middle.

  2. Step 2: Fold the edges to the centre

    Step 02

    Fold the edges to the centre

    Fold the left and right edges of both papers in to the vertical centreline.

    You should seeTwo narrow shapes, each edge meeting the middle crease.

  3. Step 3: Fold both papers in half

    Step 03

    Fold both papers in half

    Fold both papers in half lengthwise.

    You should seeTwo long, narrow strips, one in each colour.

  4. Step 4: Fold the ends in opposite directions

    Step 04

    Fold the ends in opposite directions

    First unit: fold the top edge to the left edge, then fold the bottom edge to the right edge. Second unit: fold the top edge to the right edge, then the bottom edge to the left edge.

    You should seeTwo strips with slanted ends, the second mirroring the first.

  5. Step 5: Fold the corners along the diagonals

    Step 05

    Fold the corners along the diagonals

    First unit: fold the top corner to the right along the diagonal of the square area, then the bottom corner to the left. Second unit: repeat mirrored, top corner to the left and bottom corner to the right.

    You should seeTwo parallelograms, each with a triangular flap at both ends.

  6. Step 6: Rotate both units

    Step 06

    Rotate both units

    Rotate the first unit about 45° counterclockwise. Then rotate the second unit about 22° counterclockwise.

    You should seeBoth units turned so their flaps point outwards, ready to be joined.

  7. Step 7: Turn the first unit over

    Step 07

    Turn the first unit over

    Turn the first unit over.

    You should seeThe first unit with its other side facing up, flaps still pointing out.

  8. Step 8: Stack the second unit on top

    Step 08

    Stack the second unit on top

    Place the second unit on top of the first unit.

    You should seeThe two units crossed over each other, forming a rough square in the middle.

  9. Step 9: Tuck the first unit's flaps in

    Step 09

    Tuck the first unit's flaps in

    Tuck the tips of the first unit's flaps into the pockets of the second unit. Adjust the layers, then crease firmly.

    You should seeTwo of the four points locked, the model holding its shape.

  10. The first unit's flaps part way into the second unit's pockets, mid-tuck.
    Tucking in process.
    Step 10: Turn the model over

    Step 10

    Turn the model over

    Turn the model over.

    You should seeThe other side of the star, with two flaps still loose.

  11. Step 11: Tuck the second unit's flaps in

    Step 11

    Tuck the second unit's flaps in

    Tuck the tips of the second unit's flaps into the pockets of the first unit. Adjust the layers, then crease well.

    You should seeAll four points locked, a flat four-pointed star.

Use the left and right arrow keys to move between folds.

Step 1 of 11: Crease both squares

Completed origami ninja star with four points alternating between yellow and blue paper.

Completed ninja star

Once both units are tucked into each other, the star holds together without glue.

The finished star shows four points, alternating between the two paper colours as the units interlock.

If the star falls apart
push each flap all the way into its pocket, then press the whole model flat.
If a flap will not go in
open the pocket with a fingernail first instead of forcing the tip through it.
If the points look uneven
check that both units were folded the same way in step 4, one mirrored against the other.
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