Angels probably aren’t the first thing you think of when it comes to origami unless it’s maybe Christmas related. Surprisingly enough though, there are a ton of really amazing origami angels out there.
Many of them are incredibly complex as you’ll see and most of them are folded from single sheets of paper!
To start things off we have Raphael Mausolf’s Angel 1.0. This angel is folded from one sheet of paper and the wings are based off of the body design for Satoshi Kamiya’s Ryujin.
According to Catholic tradition there’s an archangel named Raphael too which is an interesting coincidence.
Angel 1.0, Designed and Folded by Raphael Mausolf
Crease pattern available from Raphael Mausolf’s Flickr
Gabriel is probably the most famous angel and Hojyo Takashi has designed an excellent origami version of him. This is another angel design that is made using one square sheet of paper.
Gabriel, Designed by Hojyo Takashi and Folded by Dzmitry Lysiuk
Crease pattern available in World of Super Complex Origami
Here’s one of the most amazing origami designs I’ve ever seen of some kind of evil angel. I would not be surprised to find out the entire model is one sheet of paper but I don’t know that for sure.
It’s a shame that this photo doesn’t have way more favourites and comments.
Designed and Folded by 驰 张
Instructions not available
The shaping for this next angel is inspired by those terrifying Weeping Angel statue creatures from the TV series Doctor Who.
Weeping Angel, Designed by Mario Adrados Netto and Folded by Lucas Honor
Diagrams available in Pajarita Magazine #53
This is a cute idea giving the white angel a red origami heart. The wings are based on a design for the wings of an origami crane.
Love Angel, Designed and Folded by 晓 陈
Instructions not available
Here are a couple of musical angels. Each one is folded from a single sheet of paper.
Angels in Concert, Designed by Fumiaki Kawahata and Folded by Adriano Davanzo
Angel playing the lute diagrams available in the 7th Origami Tanteidan Convention Book
Angel playing the harp diagrams available in Origami Tanteidan Magazine #69
This is a really cool idea doing a half regular, half fallen angel. Both halves of the body and wings are all folded from one sheet of paper!
Light and Dark, Designed and Folded by Tran Trung Hieu
Instructions not available
Follow Tran Trung Hieu on Flickr or Facebook
Here’s an origami angel that definitely looks ready to go into battle.
Winged Warrior, Designed and Folded by Jordan Langerak
Instructions not available
Here’s another fantastic angel that’s also ready to fight. The entire model is apparently one sheet of paper! I have no idea how Kade Chan managed that, especially on that cross it’s holding.
The Disciple, Designed and Folded by Kade Chan
Instructions not available
Here’s another incredible origami angel folded from a single sheet of paper. I love the wing design in this one, it’s very different from a lot of the other origami angels.
Angel, Designed and Folded by Hubert Villeneuve
Instructions not available
Here’s another mind blowing origami angel and I’m 99% sure it’s folded from one sheet of paper.
Designed and Folded by 驰 张
Instructions not available
Next is another more evil looking angel of death which again, I’m pretty sure it’s folded from one sheet of paper.
Designed and Folded by 驰 张
Instructions not available
This is another excellent somewhat complex angel design.
Angel, Designed by Hans Romano and Folded by mark origami (2)
Instructions not available
Here’s another take on Hojyo Takashi’s Gabriel
Gabriel, Designed by Hojyo Takashi and Folded by paper in dream
Crease pattern available in World of Super Complex Origami
This is a much simpler origami angel but it’s still a fantastic and elegant design.
Esperanza, Designed and Folded by Fabian Correa
Instructions not available
This angel is definitely folded from multiple sheets of paper but it’s still very impressive looking.
Hawk Eyes, Designed and Folded by Tran Trung Hieu
Instructions not available
Follow Tran Trung Hieu on Flickr or Facebook
Here’s another absolutely mind-blowing evil-looking origami angel that needs a lot more attention than the picture’s received so far.
Designed and Folded by 驰 张
Instructions not available
Here are both of Fumiaki Kawahata’s musical angels again by a different folder which a very different look.
Angels, Designed by Fumiaki Kawahata and Folded by Eyal
Angel playing the lute diagrams available in the 7th Origami Tanteidan Convention Book
Angel playing the harp diagrams available in Origami Tanteidan Magazine #69
This is a more feminine and quite beautiful looking angel. The model is folded from one sheet of paper (not including the stone).
Angel, Designed and Folded by 晓 陈
Instructions not available
I believe that this next angel is the same design as the weeping angel from earlier in this post however it’s folded very differently to give it a much more evil look.
Angel, Designed by Mario Adrados Netto and Folded by Mariano Zavala B.
Diagrams available in Pajarita Magazine #53
Here’s another fantastic angel design and I especially like how it seems to be wearing feathery sort of clothing.
Angel 3.0, Designed by Hoang Trung Thanh and Folded by Tran Trung Hieu
Crease pattern available from Passion Origami
Follow Tran Trung Hieu on Flickr or Facebook
Here’s another incredible and very complex origami angel. The entire model including that cross is folded from the same single sheet of paper.
Angel, Designed and Folded by Jordan Langerak
Instructions not available
This is a very different angel design with more than two wings. The whole model is folded from one sheet of paper and the colour change used in the design looks fantastic.
Archangel, Designed and Folded by paper in dream
Instructions not available
Here’s a very impressive scene with two figures playing music. There are apparently 11 sheets of paper used here to fold everything.
Sounds of Angel, Designed and Folded by Leo Lai
Instructions not available
Our last image for this post is this incredible origami version of the angel Michael. There are five sheets of paper used here to fold everything.
Archangel St Michael 2013, Designed and Folded by Tran Trung Hieu
Instructions not available
Follow Tran Trung Hieu on Flickr or Facebook
That’s it for this post, let us know in the comments which one of these origami angels was your favourite. Be sure to visit each of these origami artists on Flickr and let them know you liked their work too. A lof of these models didn’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve.
