If there is one fold that carries the whole weight of origami's reputation, it is the crane. The tsuru is the model grandmothers teach, the thousand of which are folded for peace, the shape that turns a flat square into something unmistakably alive—wings, neck, and a slender beak. This tutorial walks the classic version in picture-by-picture detail: the preliminary base, the petal folds, the gentle squash that gives the body its volume. And because the crane is also a trickster, the second half shows the "Gani" variation, a bow-legged, slightly silly cousin you make by adding a snip and a splay. Fold a flock, string them up, or tuck one into a card—few models reward patience with so much charm.

How to fold a crane (explained with an image)

STEP1. Prepare your origami paper and fold it in half along the dotted line.

STEP2. Fold it in half again along the dotted line.

STEP3. Fold it in half, make a crease, then unfold.

STEP4. Lift the top piece and match the heart mark.

Turn it over and do the same on the other side.

STEP5. Fold along the yellow dotted line so it aligns with the centre.

The same is true on the other side.

Turn it over and do the same on the other side.

STEP6. Fold it along the dotted line.

After making a crease, unfold it as follows.

STEP7. Lift the top piece and align the pink heart mark with the blue heart.

Turn it over and do the same on the other side.

STEP8. The dotted line is drawn so that the heart is aligned with the center.

The same is true on the other side.

Turn it over and do the same on the other side.

STEP9. Seen from the side, spread it out like the image. Spread the back side in the same way and crush it.

STEP10. It is halved by the dotted line.

Turn it over and do the same on the other side.

STEP11. Spread and crush as shown in the image.

STEP12. Hold the wings and spread them to the left and right.

Try to make the back bulge out!

STEP13. Fold one of the pointed flaps inward to form the head …

The paper crane is complete!

Now, let's transform it into a slightly playful “Gani (bow-legged) crane” from here.

How to fold a crane with legs

STEP14. Lower the tail.

STEP15. Cut the dotted line with scissors.

STEP16. Spread the cut part in the direction of the arrow.

STEP17. We are in the direction of the arrow around the center.

STEP18. Around the dotted line, go in the direction of the arrow.

Then …

The crotch crane is completed!

How to fold

Beginners often get stuck where the 7th crease is made, so check each step carefully as you fold!

Also, the crane is easy to get confused at steps 9 and 11, where it is unclear where to squash and which direction to fold.

At first, when you turn it over, it's a good idea to think about the direction and direction and fold it.

Once you get used to it, you will be able to fold it without checking.