Since the first centuries A.D., when paper was invented in China, Man forms shapes by simply folding a sheet of paper.

 

In the 6th century A.D., Buddhist Chinese munchs took this form of art into Japan, where it became a truly ancestral art. The Origami term comes from two Japanese words: "oru" (to fold) and "kami" (paper).

 

There are no limit bounds which allow to tell us what "is" and what "is not" Origami: any folded piece of paper, from which one can recognize a specific form, can be considered Origami.

 

Traditionally one used and still uses a square sheet of paper in Origami. However this is not obligatory... many people use paper sheets of n-sides. A well-known method is to use dollar bills!

 

The European Origami is a bit different than the japanese one. The japanese Origami is faced as a Tradition and an Amusement. In Europe, it is rather seen as a Challenge.

 

Thus, the European gold rule is...

As long as you don't glue or cut, your imagination is your limit!

Here are some othe not so usual uses for Origami...