Origami

The Chinese invented paper almost 2,000 years ago. Origami is the art of paper folding is just as old. It is quite possible that the art developed from the ancient custom of making paper house, furniture, vehicles, and servants as well as paper money, as part of Chinese, funeral rites. These colored paper symbols are still burned at Buddhist funerals. So, the dead person can live in earthy comfort in the next world



In the 7th century A.D. paper folding was brought to Japan. The Japanese developed many of China’s arts and crafts into their forms of expression. They found new methods of folding paper into pretty forms and images and made origami a highly creative art.


From a few simple folds the Japanese make things of great beauty and realism. Some are used as religious symbols to decorate the temples. Others are good, luck symbols such as the tortoise and lobster, which are used as ornaments fastened to gifts.