5 Essential Origami Bases Every Folder Should Master
In origami, a “base” is a foundational folded form that serves as the starting point for many different models. Think of bases as the building blocks of origami—once you master these fundamental shapes, you’ll have the keys to folding hundreds of different designs. This guide covers the five most important origami bases that every paper folder should learn, along with what you can create from each one.
In This Article
Why Origami Bases Are Important
Learning origami bases offers several advantages:
Foundation for Countless Models
Once you know a base, you can fold dozens or even hundreds of models that start from that same foundation. For example, the bird base is used to create cranes, frogs, dragons, and many other complex models.
Understanding Structure
Bases help you understand the structural principles of origami. You’ll begin to see how paper can be manipulated to create different numbers of flaps and points, which can become legs, wings, tails, or other features in the finished model.
Memory Aid
Rather than memorizing every step for each model, you can remember “fold to the bird base, then…” This significantly reduces the learning curve for new models.
Creative Foundation
When you understand bases, you can begin creating your own designs by modifying existing bases or combining elements from different bases.
The Preliminary Fold
Difficulty: Very Easy | Flaps Created: 4 | Common Uses: Starting point for other bases
While not always counted among the traditional bases, the preliminary fold is a crucial starting point for most other bases. It creates the foundation that more complex bases build upon.
How to Fold the Preliminary Base
- Start with a square paper, white side up
- Fold in half diagonally to make a triangle
- Unfold
- Fold in half diagonally in the other direction
- Unfold again
- You should now have an X crease pattern on your square
- Flip the paper over
- Fold in half horizontally
- Unfold
- Fold in half vertically
- Unfold again
The preliminary fold gives you a square with crease lines that divide it into quarters, plus diagonal creases forming an X. This crease pattern is used to create most of the traditional bases.
Models You Can Make
The preliminary fold itself isn’t typically used as a final base, but mastering it is essential as it forms the foundation for the other bases we’ll discuss.
The Kite Base
Difficulty: Easy | Flaps Created: 1 | Common Uses: Simple animals, flowers, geometric shapes
The kite base is one of the simplest origami bases, creating a kite-shaped form with one main point. It’s perfect for beginners and is used in many simple models.
How to Fold the Kite Base
- Start with a square paper, white side up
- Fold in half diagonally to create a triangle
- Fold the right corner of the triangle to the top point
- Fold the left corner to the top point as well
- You now have the kite base
Models You Can Make
- Simple fish
- Basic bird
- Ice cream cone
- Simple sailboat
- Carp
- Basic heart
The Waterbomb Base
Difficulty: Easy | Flaps Created: 4 (inward) | Common Uses: Inflatable models, geometric forms
The waterbomb base creates a shape that can be inflated to form a balloon-like structure. It’s also the foundation for many geometric models and modular units.
How to Fold the Waterbomb Base
- Begin with the preliminary fold (all creases made)
- Bring all four corners of the paper to the center point
- Turn the model over
- Fold it in half, creating a triangle
- Open the pocket on one side and flatten
- Repeat on the other side
- You now have the waterbomb base
Models You Can Make
- Inflatable waterbomb (balloon)
- Water lily
- Puffer fish
- Modular cube units
- Iris flower
- Star box
The Fish Base
Difficulty: Intermediate | Flaps Created: 4 | Common Uses: Aquatic creatures, flowers
The fish base creates a shape with four points that can be worked into fins, petals, or other features. It’s particularly useful for aquatic-themed models, as the name suggests.
How to Fold the Fish Base
- Begin with the preliminary fold (all creases made)
- Fold the top and bottom edges into the center line
- Unfold
- Fold the left and right edges into the center line
- Unfold
- Bring the four corners to the center point (similar to waterbomb base)
- Fold the four outer small triangles into the center
- Fold in half vertically, then open
- Fold in half horizontally, then open
- Pull out the four flaps to form the fish base
Models You Can Make
- Carp and goldfish
- Clover
- Lily
- Tulip
- Fancy box with lid
- Sea turtle
The Bird Base
Difficulty: Intermediate | Flaps Created: 4 | Common Uses: Birds, complex animals, mythical creatures
The bird base is perhaps the most versatile and widely used of all origami bases. It creates four points that can be formed into wings, legs, head, and tail of birds and other animals.
How to Fold the Bird Base
- Begin with the preliminary fold (all creases made)
- Fold the top and bottom edges into the center line
- Unfold
- Fold the left and right edges into the center line
- Unfold
- Fold all four corners to the center
- Fold the top and bottom edges to the center line again
- Unfold everything back to a creased square
- Bring the bottom edge to the top edge while folding along the diagonal creases, collapsing the paper inward
- Repeat for all four corners
- The model should collapse into the bird base, with four points extending outward
Models You Can Make
- Crane (the most famous origami model)
- Flapping bird
- Swan
- Dragon
- Frog
- Phoenix
- Peacock
- Many insects with wings
The Frog Base
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced | Flaps Created: 4 (legs) + extra | Common Uses: Four-legged animals, complex figures
The frog base is excellent for creating four-legged animals and other complex models. It builds upon the square base to create additional flaps that can become legs, ears, or other features.
How to Fold the Frog Base
- Begin with the bird base
- Fold the two side flaps inward to the center
- Fold the bottom flap upward, creating a short necked shape
- Fold the two side flaps outward
- Fold each of the four extending points inward using petal folds
- The resulting shape is the frog base, with four “legs” pointing downward
Models You Can Make
- Jumping frog
- Four-legged animals (dog, cat, horse)
- Elephant
- Tiger
- Complex human figures
- Mouse
Common Folding Sequence
Many origami books and diagrams abbreviate instructions by referring to these bases. A typical instruction might read: “Start with a bird base, then…” Understanding these bases will help you follow along with advanced diagrams much more easily.
Where to Go Next: Advanced Bases
Once you’ve mastered these five essential bases, you might want to explore these more advanced bases:
Preliminary Fold (Advanced Version)
An extended version of the preliminary fold that creates more detailed crease patterns for complex models.
Blintz Base
Created by folding all four corners of a square to the center, then repeating the process one or more times. Used for complex geometric designs.
Stretched Bird Base
A modified bird base that creates longer, thinner points, useful for long-legged animals and insects.
Windmill Base
Creates four flaps arranged in a pinwheel pattern, useful for flowers and decorative models.
Tips for Practicing Bases
- Practice repeatedly: Fold each base until you can create it from memory.
- Use large paper: Learning with larger sheets (8-12 inches) makes it easier to see and manipulate the folds.
- Try different papers: Some bases work better with different paper weights and textures.
- Create a reference collection: Keep an example of each base for reference.
- Follow the progression: Master the simpler bases before moving to more complex ones.
Master the Basics, Unlock Endless Possibilities
These five essential origami bases are your keys to folding hundreds of different models. By investing time to learn and master them, you’ll dramatically improve your origami skills and understanding. Rather than memorizing every step of complex models, you’ll recognize the underlying structures and transitions, making it easier to follow diagrams and even create your own designs.
Remember that precision is crucial when creating bases—take your time to make accurate folds and sharp creases. The more precisely you fold your base, the better your finished model will look.
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Questions About Origami Bases?
Having trouble with a particular base or fold? Leave a comment below and I’ll help you troubleshoot the issue!