How to Fold an Origami Manta Ray

Step 1

Start with the colored side facing up in a diamond position. Fold and unfold both diagonals.

Step 2

Fold and unfold the left and right corners to the center point. Then turn the paper over.

Step 3

On each side, pinch the crease you just made and fold it to the vertical centerline.

Step 4

Fold the top corner down to the circled point. Then unfold.

Step 5

Again, fold the top corner down to the circled point. Then unfold and turn the paper over.

Step 6

Fold and unfold the left and right edges to the horizontal centerline to create diagonal creases. Then turn the paper over.

Step 7

Unfold everything completely.

Step 8

Collapse along the existing creases as shown. Start by folding the top area down, then fold the left and right sides inward.

🌊 Folding tip: Check the next diagram to see the correct collapsed shape.

Step 9

Lift up the top flap and squash it down along the existing creases.

Step 10

Fold the top square area in half along the horizontal diagonal. Then unfold.

Step 11

Mountain fold the top corner down into the back pocket along the crease you just made.

Step 12

Fold the top left flap to the right.

Step 13

Fold the left edge toward the vertical centerline.

🌊 Folding tip: Don’t fold all the way to the centerline. Leave a thin gap so you can easily flip the top flap back later.

Step 14

Fold the left corner inward. Your crease should connect the two circled points.

Step 15

Fold the top flap back to the left.

Step 16

Repeat Steps 12 to 14 on the right side.

Step 17

Fold and unfold the left and right edges of the tail fin to the centerline.

🌊 Folding tip: Slightly lift the top flaps to make this fold easier. Don’t crease the section located under the flaps.

Step 18

Fold the bottom corner up along the dashed line where the colored and white layers intersect.

Step 19

Fold the tail fin down along the dashed line.

🌊 Folding tip: Here, we are folding the white triangle at the back of the tail flap in half. Try to be as accurate as possible. Hold the model up to a light to see through the layers. Also check the back to make sure the creases line up.

Step 20

Fold the right edge to the vertical centerline. Squash the top area down to form a triangle.

Step 21

Repeat Step 20 on the left side.

🌊 Folding tip: Use a bone folder or pen to flatten all tail layers well so they lock into place.

Step 22

On each side, fold the top edge to the vertical centerline. Crease only from the top corner to the horizontal centerline. Then unfold. Repeat the same for the bottom edge.

🌊 Folding tip: For the bottom fold, crease only the bottom layer. Lift the top layer as you fold.

Step 23

Fold along the crease you just made. Do not fold the top layer. From this step on, the model will not lie flat.

Step 24

Mountain fold along the crease from Step 22, using only the two top layers.

Step 25

Thin the cephalic fin (the flap beside the mouth) as shown.

🌊 Folding tip: This step can feel tricky. First fold the right edge to the left along the nearest layers. Then move the cephalic fin to the right at about a 90 degree angle. Finally, round the wing (the pectoral fin) with a valley fold at about a 90 degree angle. You can also check the video if you get stuck 😉

Step 26

Repeat Step 25 on the left side.

Step 27

On both sides, gently curl the cephalic fins to shape them.

Step 28

Thin the tail fin.

🌊 Folding tip: I like to do this from the top side view using mountain folds. First fold the tail fin in half. Then apply gentle mountain folds from the center point of the tail out toward the edges of the top strip.

Step 29

Curl the tail fin to finish shaping it.

Your Origami Manta Ray Is Ready to Glide!