Start with a square sheet, colored side down. Fold it corner to corner, both ways, and unfold each time. Two clean diagonal creases are your map.
Collapse the base
Step 2 of 6
Fold the creased square in half into a triangle, then push the two side corners inward along the creases. The sheet flattens into the square base, loose flaps pointing down — the start of a thousand models.
The petal fold
Step 3 of 6
Fold the two lower edges of the top flap to the center line, lift the point, and squash it flat. A tall kite with a tongue of gold showing.
The bird base
Step 4 of 6
Turn the model over and petal-fold the other side the same way. You now hold the bird base — sleek, narrow, four sharp points.
Raise neck & tail
Step 5 of 6
Inside-reverse two opposite points: one sweeps up to become the neck with a tiny folded head, one angles back as the tail.
Open the wings
Step 6 of 6
Fold both wings down at a proud angle, then pull them gently apart so the body breathes and rounds. Your crane is ready for a thousand wishes.
scroll to fold ↓
A thousand wishes await.
senbazuru — one thousand cranes
Fold one crane for luck. Fold a thousand, legend says, and a wish is granted.