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Origami Cross Shield

An exposed paper-color cross inside a folded shield. Follow every fold, compare the front and back, and finish a small flat paper decoration.

Preparation + 12 numbered steps

Materials

6-inch square · 6 × 6 inches

One 6 × 6-inch square (15.24 × 15.24 cm) of thin origami paper. Ruler and pencil for the marked shaping folds; optional pen for decoration. No scissors or glue.

Start the interactive guide ↓
Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Origami Cross Shield: an exposed paper-color cross inside a folded shield
An exposed paper-color cross inside a folded shield

Follow along

Preparation

The interactive guide needs JavaScript. Read every illustrated step below.

Camera only; does not change the fold.
Help · controls & diagram

Play or drag the progress slider to watch a fold from 0% to 100%. Use the view buttons or drag the diagram to look from another angle.

Blue and gold identify the original left and right halves, not the literal colors of your paper. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge.

With the diagram focused: Space plays or pauses, ←/→ change steps, and Home resets.

Every step, at a glance

Compare your paper with each diagram after completing the action. Blue and gold identify the original left and right halves, not the literal colors of your paper. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge.

  1. 0. Prepare the square
  2. 1. Crease horizontally
  3. 2. Open the square
  4. 3. Crease vertically
  5. 4. Open the cross creases
  6. 5. Fold the upper right corner
  7. 6. Fold the upper left corner
  8. 7. Fold the lower left corner
  9. 8. Fold the lower right corner
  10. 9. Shorten the top behind
  11. 10. Fold the right edge behind
  12. 11. Fold the left edge behind
  13. 12. Blunt the bottom point
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPrepare the square

    PREPARATION · Source-linked flat decoration

    Prepare the square

    Use contrasting colors on the two sides. Put the intended cross color facing up.

    Layers: One square with level edges.

    Check: The visible side will show through the gaps.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease horizontally

    STEP 1 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Crease horizontally

    Bring the bottom edge to the top edge.

    Layers: Move the lower half.

    Check: The edges match.

    Explore this step ↑
  3. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the square

    STEP 2 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Open the square

    Return the lower half to the table.

    Layers: Open the same half.

    Check: A horizontal center line remains.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease vertically

    STEP 3 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Crease vertically

    Bring the right edge to the left edge.

    Layers: Move the right half.

    Check: The side edges match.

    Explore this step ↑
  5. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the cross creases

    STEP 4 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Open the cross creases

    Unfold completely.

    Layers: Open the same half.

    Check: The two creases meet at the square center.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the upper right corner

    STEP 5 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the upper right corner

    Bring the upper right corner toward the center, stopping 0.2 inches above and 0.2 inches right of the crossing.

    Layers: Move the corner flap.

    Check: A narrow gap remains beside each center crease.

    Explore this step ↑
  7. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the upper left corner

    STEP 6 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the upper left corner

    Mirror the corner fold, leaving the same 0.2-inch gap on both axes.

    Layers: Move only this corner.

    Check: The upper tips stop short of one another.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the lower left corner

    STEP 7 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the lower left corner

    Bring the lower left tip to 0.2 inches left and below the center.

    Layers: Move only this corner.

    Check: The cross remains exposed.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the lower right corner

    STEP 8 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the lower right corner

    Match the last corner, leaving both gaps unchanged.

    Layers: Move only this corner.

    Check: Four triangles surround a color cross.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShorten the top behind

    STEP 9 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Shorten the top behind

    Fold everything above a horizontal line 1.2 inches above the original center to the back.

    Layers: Carry every layer in the top section.

    Check: The shield has a level top.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the right edge behind

    STEP 10 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the right edge behind

    Fold along a vertical line 1.25 inches right of the original center.

    Layers: Move the full right packet behind.

    Check: The cross remains visible from the front.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the left edge behind

    STEP 11 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Fold the left edge behind

    Repeat 1.25 inches left of the center.

    Layers: Move the full matching packet.

    Check: The outline is symmetric.

    Explore this step ↑
  13. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldBlunt the bottom point

    STEP 12 · Source-linked flat decoration

    Blunt the bottom point

    Fold the very bottom tip behind along a horizontal line 2.8 inches below the original center. Press the finished shield flat.

    Layers: Carry all layers in the tiny tip.

    Check: The broad top, tapered base and cross are all visible.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

Traditional model family; photographic tutorial by Origami Guide, Origami Guide: Origami Cross Shield (web tutorial).

Reference photographs and instructions ↗ · Source attribution and copyright information ↗

Origami Guide labels the reference Traditional. That attribution is separate from rights in its photographs and text. No reference photographs, diagrams or prose are reproduced here. These instructions, geometry and drawings are original; no project-wide reuse license is implied.

Adaptation: The source leaves the corner gaps and outline shaping free. We fix the corner tips 0.2 inches from each center crease, then shorten the top and sides. This is a flat decorative symbol; no protective function is implied.

Original instructions and diagrams, made with AI assistance. About & reuse

Accuracy notes

Real-paper follow-along and paper weight have not been tested. Diagrams illustrate the sequence, not paper thickness, contact, collisions or exact layer visibility. Rigid-axis teaching folds retain the material coordinates of one uncut square. Exact shaping landmarks are authored adaptations. Zero-thickness diagrams do not simulate paper thickness or prove physical foldability. Real-paper folding has not been tested.