Origami Beating Heart

origami heart
This Origami Beating Heart is a traditional model. It is easy to make and despite its simplicity, it is an action model which is to say, it moves! Indeed, as its name suggest, this paper heart beats. See demo here.

Origami Beating Heart Instructions


origami beating heart

Step 1:

Start with a square sheet of paper with the color-side facing up.
Cut the paper into two rectangles.


origami beating heart
You will only need one rectangle to make the beating heart.


origami beating heart

Step 2:

Fold the paper in half, right to left.


origami beating heart

9image enlarged)

Step 3:

Fold the paper in half to form a triangle
(top-right corner towards bottom-left corner).


origami heart

Step 4:

Fold the top layer (which is actually two layers of paper)
back up as shown. The bottom corner should be bisected (cut in half).


origami heart
Unfold.


origami heart

Step 5:

Partially unfold so the paper is standing upright.


origami heart

Step 6:

Ease open the two layers of paper….


origami heart
and press down so it lays flat.
Use the creases made in step 4 as a guide.


origami heart

Step 7:

Make a petal fold. To do this, fold in the edges of the paper as shown.


origami heart
Unfold.


origami heart

Step 8:

Make a valley fold and peel back the top-layer of paper.


origami heart
In transition. Allow the edges of the paper to
fold in along the creases made in step 7.


origami heart

Step 9:

Release (unfold) the back flap of paper so the
model regains its squarish shape.


origami heart

Step 10:

Rotate quarter turn to the right.


origami heart

Step 11:

Fold down the two top corners.


origami heart

Step 12:

Make the corners less pointy by folding it down a little.
Fold in the sides to get a heart-shape.


origami heart

Step 13:

Fold up the small triangular flap so it stands upright,
perpendicular the the heart.


origami heart

Step 14:

Turn over and you’re done.

origami heart
To make the paper heart look like it is beating, hold the model on the small triangular flap that is perpendicular to the heart. Hold the flap close enough so your fingertips are touching the heart part. Pinch and release the triangular flap and the heart will buckle like it is pulsating.

origami heart