By: Patty Hori, Megan Taenaka, and Lina Kwon, GVJCI Social Media and Community Outreach Interns
Hi everyone! Our latest blog post is perfect for your summer entertaining needs! These origami rose napkins are a simple way to add a beautiful pop of color to any table setting! Today, we think of origami as a way for young children to try and make cute little cranes (or "tsuru"), but origami has a much more interesting history than a toy for children. While paper was invented in China around 105 A.D., in the 6th century, Japan took folding paper to a whole new level of beauty. However, paper was very expensive and therefore reserved only for the upper-class and origami became extremely elaborate. This elaboration led artists to find ways to express themselves, and many found this expression in recreating the beautiful flowers around them, like roses. Roses have their own unique meanings; according to the Japanese language of flowers, or hanakotoba. Red roses (or "benibara") represent love, while white roses (or "bara") represent devotion, innocence, and silence. Additionally, pink roses (or "momoirobara") symbolize confidence, trust, and happiness.
All you need are square cloth napkins! Now, let's get started!
All you need are square cloth napkins! Now, let's get started!
Step 1: Take your square cloth napkin and fold it diagonally into a triangle
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Step 2: Fold the triangle up from the bottom. The height of the rose depends on how big your fold is. (My fold was about 1 1/2 inches)
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Step 3: Continue to fold up until there is a smaller triangle left. That triangle will end up being the leaves of the rose. The size and number of folds will determine how big your leaves are. (I folded mine three times)
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Step 4: Flip the napkin over so the triangle is facing down.
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Step 5: Roll the napkin from one side all the way until the other, and tuck the end into the roll.
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Step 6: Take the tail, and fold it over and around the rose to create the leaves.
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Step 7: Your rose napkin has bloomed!
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