Origami Symbols

To describe how to make an origami (diagram), symbols are used that are understood by practitioners worldwide. It is essential to master the most common symbols to understand a diagram. On this page, we present this symbolism, which will be so useful for successfully completing your origami.

The solid arrow means "fold to the front."

The dotted line means "valley fold."

valley fold

The hollow arrow means "fold to the back."

The mixed line (alternating dashes and dots) means "mountain fold."

mountain fold

The curved arrow means "turn the paper over."

The double arrow (hollow and solid) means "fold and unfold."

The bouncing arrow means "fold and refold."

fold and refold

The Z-shaped arrow means "accordion fold."

accordion fold

The S-shaped arrow means "inside reverse fold."

inside reverse fold

The rounded double arrow means "outside reverse fold."

outside reverse fold

The double external Z-shaped arrow means "double outside reverse fold."

double outside reverse fold

The double internal Z-shaped arrow means "double inside reverse fold."

double inside reverse fold

The solid arrowhead means "push in" (to make an inside reverse fold).

inside reverse fold

The short hollow arrow means "open the paper" (to make an outside reverse fold).

outside reverse fold

The broken arrow means "redo at the indicated place."

The hollow arrow without fletching means "enlarged view."