Origami Diagrams are Common in Many Origami Instructions
On this page you can see the explanation of the origami terms that are most common in origami diagrams. These symbols are based on the most widely used, good old Yoshizawa-Randlett system. There is also an addition of two well-known symbols (“push here” and “put your finger here”) introduced by American folder John Montroll. Knowing all these, you will be able to fold most of the origami diagrams that are out there.
On my site however, I will not be using these terms in my origami diagrams. I have always found plain old words to be more descriptive than a single symbol. So, here they are:
Valley-fold line. As the name implies, the paper is folded along the valley-fold line to create a figure ‘V’ shape, like a valley.
Mountain-fold line #1. Like the valley-fold, the mountain-fold is creating a figure shape, only upside down, i.e, folding the paper in the other direction to create an upside-down ‘V’, like a mountain.
Mountain-fold line #2. This is just like the Mountain-fold line #1. The reason for putting a second mountain fold line in is that often, some of the more complex models have steps that require you to do two mountain folds at the same time. So, creating a different symbol for each of the folds just helps to prevent confusion on the folder’s part.
Edge of paper. Rather simple, this is just used to show the edge of the paper. You see, the newest style for many origami diagrams is to draw it out: black lines on a white background. Thus this is just used to show the edges of the sheet of paper that is being folded.
Crease line. Don’t get this confused with the valley or mountain fold. Those are actual folds. The crease line just shows where folds have been made earlier on in the instructions and have then been unfolded leaving a crease across your paper.
X-ray line. Much like a crease line, but also sometimes used for valley or mountain folds, the x-ray line shows you where to fold a model when the part that should be folded is hidden by another flap of paper that should not be folded.
Flip the model over. This is very simple. If the model in question is lying on it’s right side, flip it over so that the left side is then face down and the right side will be facing upwards.
Rotate the model the given degree clockwise or counterclockwise. This is similar to the previous one, but you rotate the model instead of flipping it.
Push the paper here. Just place your finger where the arrow indicates and push gently in the direction that the arrow is pointing.
Place your finger here. This symbol will sometimes accompany the previous one, but it is usually used to indicate a location that needs to be held down while another section is folded.
Repeat the given range of steps. The numbers in this symbol are 4-5, but in the actual origami diagrams, they are whatever steps need to be repeated.
Repeat in vertical mirror image, so that “up” will be “down” (and vice versa). This is just like the previous one, the only difference is that it vertically mirrors the section being repeated.
Repeat in horizontal mirror image, so that “right” will be “left” (and vice versa). This is just like the previous one, the only difference is that it horizontally mirrors the section being repeated.
Repeat in both horizontal and vertical mirror image. This is just like the previous one, the only difference is that it vertically and horizontally mirrors the section being repeated.
Repeat in diagonal mirror image. This is just like the previous one, the only difference is that it diagonally mirrors the section being repeated.
View the model from this vantage point. This is used to help the folder position the model in the necessary direction.
Zigzags give you information on how the layers are arranged after a pleat or a crimp.
A right angle will prompt you when creases and/or edges have to be at right angels to each other.
Corresponding points will be indicated by spots of the same color (white-white or black-black). This helps the folder by showing him exactly what the model should look like after the fold is completed.
The small TRANSPARENT circle means: note this area. When you see this, give special attention to what is surrounded by it.
Equal distances. This helps the origamier to keep the diagram in proportion, as the origami diagrams are often not able to be drawn just right.
Black letters distinguish visible flaps, points, creases or edges when necessary.
White letters distinguish invisible (hidden) flaps, points, creases, edges or pockets when necessary.
Valley-fold arrow. This just helps to show what direction a valley fold should be made in. This does not usually appear in origami diagrams because it usually doesn’t matter. But when it does, it’s there.
Mountain-fold arrow. This just helps to show what direction a mountain fold should be made in. This does not usually appear in origami diagrams because it usually doesn’t matter. But when it does, it’s there.
Unfold/Pull out arrow. This indicates where a flap should be pulled out from the main body of the model.
Fold and unfold arrow. This means that when a fold is made, valley, mountain, or otherwise, it is to be unfolded immediately. This is used for creating crease lines which are often used as guidelines for creating permanent folds later on in the model.
Grab the paper where the the white dot is and move it to the direction of the arrow.
Fold a number of layers in the circle (in this example 2) over. When this symbol appears, instead of folding just the top layer, the number of layers that are in the circle are folded over.