World Origami Day

Origami is derived from two Japanese words: Ori (folded) and Kami (paper). Before that, the art was called “orikata” (folded shapes). An ancient Japanese legend says if you fold one thousand cranes you will be granted a wish. Today, this small folded crane is also celebrated as an international symbol of peace, which also seems fitting for a day celebrating the end of a war.

While you might want to celebrate by getting creative with some nice paper, you can also get to know the practice better with these fun facts.

Origami came to Japan thanks to Buddhist monks.Origami societies abound all over the world. The best way to celebrate World Origami Day is by making intricate things and complex shapes out of square pieces of paper.

In Europe, paper folding goes all the way back to at least the 12th century. The Moors had brought a geometry-based type of paper folding to Spain, which the Spanish developed into what they called papiroflexia, “paper flexing or folding,” or pajarita, which means “little bird.” Like the Japanese crane, the Spanish pajarita (which also means “bow tie”) is the symbol of origami in that country. The Spanish Origami Association is also called Parajita.