How to Fold an Origami Ninja Star (Shuriken)
Transform two square sheets of paper into a crisp, interlocking four-point origami ninja star using modular folding and secure pocket-locking techniques.
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🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ Bone folder or plastic ruler
- ✓ Flat work surface
- ✓ Scissors (optional, if trimming from letter paper)
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ 2 square sheets of origami paper (15x15 cm, contrasting colors)
- ✓ Standard 20 lb copy paper (alternative)
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Smooth paper creases with a flat tool rather than fingertips to avoid paper cuts.
- • Never throw finished paper ninja stars toward eyes, faces, or pets.
- • Keep scissors pointed downward and away from your body if cutting square sheets.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (6 Steps)
Fold Both Sheets into Narrow Strips
Lay two square sheets of origami paper flat on your work surface. Fold each sheet in half horizontally, crease firmly with a bone folder, and unfold. Fold the top and bottom raw edges to meet exactly along the center crease line, then fold the entire strip in half along the original center line to create two compact, multi-layered rectangular strips.
- • Two identical narrow rectangular strips of equal width and length.
- • Overlapping the outer edges past the center line, causing uneven strip thickness.
Mark Centers and Create Mirror-Image Right-Angle Folds
Fold both strips in half end-to-end to create a distinct center crease, then unfold them flat. On the first strip, fold the left half downward at a 90-degree angle along the center mark and the right half upward at a 90-degree angle. On the second strip, mirror the folds by bending the left half upward and the right half downward.
- • Two mirrored, opposing Z-like folded paper strips.
- • Folding both strips in the exact same orientation instead of mirroring them, which prevents interlocking later.
Fold End Squares into Triangle Points
Flip both units over so the flat, smooth side is facing upward. At each square end of both strips, fold the outer corners diagonally inward to form a sharp triangle point aligned with the body. Ensure the folded points naturally continue the diagonal slope of the folded unit without hanging over the outer edge.
- • Two modular units shaped like angled parallelograms with triangular end tabs.
- • Folding the triangle corner the wrong direction, creating a flat trapezoid instead of a pointed parallelogram.
Pre-Crease Triangular Wings Inward
Fold each triangular point inward across the center diagonal of the unit so that it rests flat against the body. Press down firmly with your bone folder along the hinge crease to set a deep memory into the paper. Unfold the flaps slightly so they stand at a 45-degree angle, ready for interlocking.
- • Both modular units have well-defined diagonal creases allowing flaps to spring inward smoothly.
- • Skipping the pre-crease step, making pocket insertion difficult during the final assembly.
Cross the Two Units Perpendicularly
Position the first unit horizontally with its central smooth side facing up. Place the second unit vertically across the first unit with its folded flaps facing upward, forming a balanced cross shape. Ensure the flat backs of both units rest flush against each other in the center.
- • A balanced cross shape with horizontal and vertical modules touching back-to-back.
- • Arranging the units with both flap sides facing the same direction instead of back-to-back.
Tuck and Lock the Four Flaps into Pockets
Fold the top and bottom triangular flaps of the vertical unit inward, tucking their tips securely under the diagonal pocket slits of the horizontal unit. Flip the entire assembly over carefully to the opposite side. Fold the remaining two triangular points inward and insert their tips deep into the central diagonal pockets until the star lies flat and rigid.
- • A symmetrical, four-pointed star with all four tips firmly locked inside pockets and no loose flaps.
- • Forcing flaps into pockets without sliding along the diagonal crease, which can tear or buckle the paper.
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by PPO — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No bone folder? back of a spoon, ruler edge, or thumbnail
- No origami paper? square-cut printer paper or memo pad sheets