An Introduction to Origami/Paper Magic Pt.1
A bit of history...
Origami is composed of the Japanese words oru (to fold) and kami (paper); it was originally known as orikata (folded shapes). This art and practice came to be after Japanese monks brought paper from China to their country in the sixth century. Because paper was handmade, it was an expensive, luxury item that was not commonly available; to add to that, the practice of paper folding was reserved for ceremonial purposes —which were, more often than not, religious in nature.
By the Edo period (1603 - 1868), thanks to paper becoming mass produced and more accessible, origami has also become a recreational activity. The first written instructions appeared in 1797 with Akisato Rito’s Sembazuru Orikata; and by the late 1800s, the term had morphed from orikata to origami.
In traditional origami, folding patterns and sequences were passed down orally or anonymously from generation to generation. Nowadays, there even exists designers that create —and even copyright— their models. Modern origami also focuses a lot more on adding a certain puzzle aspect to the models, and prioritizes the ability to create using only one sheet of paper without glue or scissors (of course, there exist ‘advanced’ models where you combine smaller, individual creations to make something even grander).
Akira Yoshizawa is considered one of the fathers of modern origami. In the 1930s he developed a system of folding patterns which employs a set of symbols, arrows and diagrams. These patterns were published by the 1950s and quickly became easily available, which contributed to making origami the widespread practice that it is today.
-> Did you know?
Europe has its own practice of folding paper. It was developed in Spain and dates back to the twelfth century, when the moors brought a tradition of mathematically based folding. It is known as papiroflexia or pajarita.
Of colors and patterns
Naturally, because we’re dealing with paper, it might come in all sorts of colors and patterns (especially if it’s origami paper, which can be usually found with all sorts of patterns on it). I can’t really cover every single pattern, —not with how comercial origami has become, but I’ll try to add some of the most basic ones you’ll probably be able to find.
For colors, I’ve borrowed @jasper-pagan-witch’s master list of correspondences. Of course you’re free to use your own correspondences!
Now let’s talk patterns. There’s a lot of possibilities for patters that you can find out there, specially after origami became something a bit more ‘commercial’. It is impossible for me to cover all of them, so I decided to compile a list of basic Japanese symbolism (since the practice is originally Japanese) that you might be able to find in paper design + basic geometrical shapes which can also be found, but do keep in mind there’s like a pattern for virtually anything out there. Once again, feel free to use your own correspondences!
The Sun: This symbol is derived from the mythological goddess of the sun, Amaterasu, from the Shinto religion. Because she founded Japan, it can be interpreted as a symbol for beginnings and for journeys, it is also considered a symbol of good fortune.
The Lotus: Purity, cleansing, enlightenment.
Folding Fan: Journeys, beginnings and ends, cycles, possibility. Also secrets, as they were used to convey secret messages in the past.
Chrysanthemum: Endurance, rejuvenation, happiness (from the National Japanese Chrysanthemum Day which is referred to as Festival of Happiness). Joy, beauty, good luck, longevity, fidelity, optimism.
Daruma: Wishes, achievements, perseverance, commitment, determination.
Sakura: Fleeting beauty, transience of life, renewal, new beginnings.
Butterfly: Metamorphosis, transformation, eternity (in close association to spirits and the afterlife, since they’re linked with recently departed spirits).
Cranes: Longevity, good fortunes. It is said that if you fold a thousand paper cranes, your wish will come true.
Plum: Refinement, purity, perseverance, hope, beauty, protection against evil and misfortune.
Gourd: Divinity, good luck, good health and prosperity.
Moon: Rejuvenation and new beginnings.
Koi: “According to the Japanese legend, if a Koi fish succeeded to swim upstream and climb the waterfalls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would transform into a Dragon.” (Aung, 2015). This is the reason they’re regarded as a symbol of aspiration, perseverance, effort.
Acorn: Symbol of good luck.
Shapes: You can check this post and this post which I liked for shale correspondences.
Practical Uses
Paper-made things can actually be quite useful, since the folds make your creations very resistant. There’s a lot of things you can do to put origami to practical use, and I’m gonna list some that I’ve done myself, maybe you can think of more!
Boxes: for gifts, for storage...
Organizers: kinda similar to the above, but you can use them for like pencil holders and the like
Cellphone stands and other sorts of displays
Cute little gifts/details for your loved ones
You can even make yourself a wallet
Bookmarks!
I’ve even see people do trash cans, the possibilities are endless
Your very own friend
No but in all seriousness, there’s a lot of things you can do with origami. I personally use it a lot when it’s a special day, like Mother’s Day, to make creative and ingenious cards and decorations. There’s always something new to do.
Magical Uses
And now finally, what you were probably waiting for. Magical uses are just as varied as practical uses, and I don’t think there’s a limited way of incorporating it to your craft, but I’ll give you some examples!
Altar decorations and offerings: does your deity fancy a specific animal? I bet you can find an origami pattern to do it. A special flower? Check. Seriously, there’s a lot of things you can find patterns of. There’s also really pretty boxes and bases you can make to put things.
Meditation: for those of you who can’t lie still, folding paper while meditating might help you focus!
Spells: you can combine in sigils in this one. Just choose a paper of the pattern/color that bests serves your cause and choose an origami folding pattern that correlates and just, fold it while focusing on your intention, that’s it. You can activate/dispose of it with your preferred method but if you’re using fire do refer to @jasper-pagan-witch’s guide on handling fire.
Manifestation box
For the pro-curse folk, embed a curse in a little origami crafted by you and gift it to the person, it’ll last until they get rid of it ;)
And I’m sure there’s a lot more things you can come up with! After all, each path is different and these are just some of the things I’ve tried so far.
Thanks a lot if you’ve read until here, I hope you liked the lesson. I certainly hope to come back with a part two on how to get started on origami if you guys do end up finding this bit of magic interesting, please let me know!
May you find happiness and growth in your paths!
Sources
History of Origami / Japanese Symbolism / This very cool Masterpost / Origami Magic Ideas
