Scheme for creating origami "asterisks" and its symbolic meaning

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In recent years, Japanese origami art is gaining popularity and becoming a hobby of people from all over the world. Websites dedicated to origami techniques are being created. There are artists who create amazing figures, so complex that one can hardly believe in their paper origin.

What is origami?

Origami (Japanese "ori" - folded, "gami" - paper) is the art of paper folding, which originated in ancient China around the same period when the first paper was invented. In the 17th century, origami actively spread in Japan and received the greatest development, and in the 20th it became widely known in the world thanks to the book of the Japanese origami master Akira Yoshizawa. He also came up with most of the notation for the schematic representation of folding figures.

Classic origami rules require that a square sheet of paper be used to make the figure, the cuts of which are completely unacceptable. An example of the original origami can be considered the figure of a crane. However, over time, techniques improved, paper impregnation and glue appeared. Over time, the figures became more complex and became modular or, conversely, simplified. Examples of simplification are origami stars - a three-dimensional star created from a strip of paper.

Asterisk figure

"Asterisk" - paper origami, being simple, understandable and beautiful, is one of the most popular shapes. It is so simple that elementary school children can easily learn how to fold it.

Thanks to the ability to use paper of different structures, different colors, different patterns, you can create an amazing origami star or a lot of them. Thus, the creation of stars will never get boring and each time the set can be unique.

Sprocket folding pattern

At first it will be difficult even to believe that a strip of paper can turn into a three-dimensional figure. However, this is the charming side of origami. We will take a closer look at how to make an origami star. You should also get your hands on creating an asterisk at first, especially if you are going to make several tens or even hundreds. After the 15th you will do them automatically.

First you need to cut strips of paper into a width to length ratio of 1:13. The best thing to do isa clerical knife and a ruler, since it is difficult to make a perfectly even cut with scissors. In this case, it is important that the strip is the same width along its entire length. You can experiment with the parameters to get an origami star of the desired size.

1. After cutting enough strips, you can begin to fold the paper directly to create an asterisk.
2. Make a loop at one end of the paper, draw the short end of the strip into this loop and make a knot.
3. Pulling the long end of the paper, gently tighten the knot to end up with a regular pentagon shape.
4. The remaining small piece can be folded inside the pentagon or cut off.
5. Start folding the long end around the pentagon, the paper itself will lie flat along the edges of the pentagon.
6. The end of the tape must be carefully tucked in, as a result, the basis for the star in the form of a regular pentagon should be obtained.
7. It remains to arrange the rays of the star in the blank. At this step, mistakes and marriage most often appear, so you should not rush. The secret is to correctly grasp the pentagon on the opposite side that will be under pressure and place the edge of the shape along your finger. Gently press down so that the center of the rib tumbles inward and the asterisk becomes voluminous.

Symbolism of the star in different cultures

The five-pointed star as a symbol of security protection from evil forces has been known for more than three thousand years. In ancient Rome, the star wassymbol of the god of war Mars. For Masons, she was a symbol of universal energy. Its meaning is extremely varied. It is a symbol of eternity, light and high ideals. But at the same time, the inverted star represents the seal of Baphomet - a symbol of Satanism.

In some ancient cultures, it was believed that each person has his own star in the sky. She appears in heaven with his birth and disappears with his death. In others, that the soul of a person after death goes to heaven and takes a place among the stars. Such beliefs about the connection between the fate of man and the stars led to the birth and development of astrology.

The five-pointed star is not the only one in this character string. There are many other stars in the world that are also famous symbols. The triangular star is a biblical symbol of the divine principle. The six-pointed Star of David is a symbol of divine protection. The Star of Bethlehem is a symbol of the Nativity of Christ. The seven-pointed star is a symbol of the east. And many others. Of course, almost all stars can be folded into origami. But more about that in other lessons.

Asterisk examples

In Japan, stars are traditionally stacked for various holidays. And their limitless variations allow designers and artists to use them for compositions. The scope of origami stars is limited only by the imagination of the author.

Origami is a pleasant and understandable art accessible to everyone. It requires a minimum investment of funds and gives in returnlimitless possibilities for creativity. It is also worth noting that origami is a type of meditation, allowing the author to relax and calmly immerse himself in his inner world and his own thoughts.