MDL0040 - ORIGAMI - PYRAMID CONTAINER BY SY CHEN
Credits and Resources:
Text-Only Instructions copyright 2026 by Lindy van der Merwe and
Text-Only Instructions copyright 2026 by Lindy van der Merwe and
accessorigami.com
Instructions with supporting pictures and/or illustrations can be found at
this page with many other diagrams by Sy Chen
Paper to be used: Square, any size; use large paper to practice with at
first.
Folding level: Beginner to Intermediate
Steps: 14
Description: This is a three-dimensional, open box or container with a
characteristic pyramid shape, with its 4 sides wider at the bottom and
narrowing towards the top.
It is based, in part, on the simple design of the traditional cup, but brilliantly makes use of one of the most important bases in origami, the waterbomb or balloon base.
As a box or container it is not only elegant and beautiful in its
simplicity, but because of its flexible design, it can be closed using
various embellishments (see Remarks below).
Remarks:
When folded, this container is open at the top, but it can be closed
using tape, glue, staples, ribbon, stickers, or any embellishment of your choice, making it perfect for presenting small gifts.
To create a gift box, insert a small gift after the model has been completed and tie a ribbon around the container, gently pulling it closed at the top.
Handles can be made by punching holes at the top of the bag and attaching ribbon, cord or yarn.
Folded from small squares, this model looks great as a Christmas decoration.
Use colors like silver, gold, red, green or blue and tie lightly with matching ribbon or punch holes on two sides and hang the containers from a tree or around the house.
Use thicker paper or thin cardstock for a sturdier mmodel.
If you are using two-sided paper, make sure that the side you want for the outside of the container is facing up before you start to fold.
NOTE: This model starts from the waterbomb or balloon base. If you are
able to achieve this without instructions, fold the base and then go to Step 9.
this page with many other diagrams by Sy Chen
Paper to be used: Square, any size; use large paper to practice with at
first.
Folding level: Beginner to Intermediate
Steps: 14
Description: This is a three-dimensional, open box or container with a
characteristic pyramid shape, with its 4 sides wider at the bottom and
narrowing towards the top.
It is based, in part, on the simple design of the traditional cup, but brilliantly makes use of one of the most important bases in origami, the waterbomb or balloon base.
As a box or container it is not only elegant and beautiful in its
simplicity, but because of its flexible design, it can be closed using
various embellishments (see Remarks below).
Remarks:
When folded, this container is open at the top, but it can be closed
using tape, glue, staples, ribbon, stickers, or any embellishment of your choice, making it perfect for presenting small gifts.
To create a gift box, insert a small gift after the model has been completed and tie a ribbon around the container, gently pulling it closed at the top.
Handles can be made by punching holes at the top of the bag and attaching ribbon, cord or yarn.
Folded from small squares, this model looks great as a Christmas decoration.
Use colors like silver, gold, red, green or blue and tie lightly with matching ribbon or punch holes on two sides and hang the containers from a tree or around the house.
Use thicker paper or thin cardstock for a sturdier mmodel.
If you are using two-sided paper, make sure that the side you want for the outside of the container is facing up before you start to fold.
NOTE: This model starts from the waterbomb or balloon base. If you are
able to achieve this without instructions, fold the base and then go to Step 9.
For info on how to fold this and other origami bases, visit the following link:
Step 1
Place a square of paper on your work surface and position it so that the edges are at the top and bottom, left and right.
Step 2
Bring the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Bring the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Turn the square over and position it so that its points are facing up
and down, left and right.
Step 5
Bring the left point over to meet the right point. Crease and unfold.
Step 6
Bring the top point down to meet the bottom point. Crease and leave folded.
Step 7
Grasp the left and right points of the resulting triangle and push
inward. The model should collapse along the pre-existing folds. The
result will be another triangle shape that has one folded flap sticking
out from the back of the model and another sticking out from the front.
Step 8
Fold the front flap to the left and fold the back flap to the right so
that your model will lie flat.
The model will have one open end, which should be facing away from you.
Step 9
Next, grasp the left top corner of the triangle, front layer only, and fold it to the right and a little downwards, to meet its right edge, more or less at the halfway point.
Crease well and leave folded.
A new, smaller triangle will have formed on top of your original triangle.
Step 2
Bring the top edge down to meet the bottom edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 3
Bring the left edge over to meet the right edge. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Turn the square over and position it so that its points are facing up
and down, left and right.
Step 5
Bring the left point over to meet the right point. Crease and unfold.
Step 6
Bring the top point down to meet the bottom point. Crease and leave folded.
Step 7
Grasp the left and right points of the resulting triangle and push
inward. The model should collapse along the pre-existing folds. The
result will be another triangle shape that has one folded flap sticking
out from the back of the model and another sticking out from the front.
Step 8
Fold the front flap to the left and fold the back flap to the right so
that your model will lie flat.
The model will have one open end, which should be facing away from you.
Step 9
Next, grasp the left top corner of the triangle, front layer only, and fold it to the right and a little downwards, to meet its right edge, more or less at the halfway point.
Crease well and leave folded.
A new, smaller triangle will have formed on top of your original triangle.
Make sure that, as far as possible, the bottom edge of your smaller triangle is in a horizontal position and straight in relation to
the top of your larger triangle.
Step 10
Repeat with the top right corner, again the front layer only, but this time, tuck the point into the pocket that has been formed by your fold in the previous step.
To do this, open the left flap with one finger while grasping the right flap between your thumb and forefinger and sliding it into the pocket you are holding open as far as it will go.
Take your time with this step and don't be afraid to open the left flap wide enough so you can slide the right point securely into place.
Crease well.
Your model will now be a triangle consisting of 4 main areas: three separate triangles at the left, right and bottom, with a fourth area at
the center, which you have just created by overlapping and tucking in of folds in steps 9 and 10.
Step 11
Turn the model over, like turning the page of a book, and repeat Steps 9 and 10, folding in the left and right points, so the sides of the model become symmetrical.
You will now have a 5-sided figure with a triangle at the bottom, and sides that slope inwards towards the flat, horizontal top edge of the model.
Step 12
Next, form a strong horizontal crease by folding the bottom triangle upwards and creasing well.
Unfold again.
Step 13
Turn over and fold the bottom triangle up in the same way again, then crease and unfold.
These last two steps will shape the bottom of your container.
Step 14
Pick up your model. One end of the model will be closed. Find the open end and create a small opening by inserting a fingertip inside the folds of the model.
While doing this, gently start to pull apart the sides of the model.
Remember your shape will have four sides, so feel free to turn it around
in your hands if you encounter resistance when opening the container.
Some people help this process along by blowing forcefully into the open
end to inflate the container, but it is optional for this model.
The bottom and sides of the container should start to move apart. Once
you find the model has opened up into more or less the form of a
pyramid, gently insert a finger to shape your container from the inside, pushing out the edges and corners as needed and shaping the sides and bottom creases from the outside as well.
Be careful not to press too hard from the inside, so as not to undo your hard work.
You should end up with your very own elegant pyramid-container.
Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text
instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, September 2014
Revised, August 2026
the top of your larger triangle.
Step 10
Repeat with the top right corner, again the front layer only, but this time, tuck the point into the pocket that has been formed by your fold in the previous step.
To do this, open the left flap with one finger while grasping the right flap between your thumb and forefinger and sliding it into the pocket you are holding open as far as it will go.
Take your time with this step and don't be afraid to open the left flap wide enough so you can slide the right point securely into place.
Crease well.
Your model will now be a triangle consisting of 4 main areas: three separate triangles at the left, right and bottom, with a fourth area at
the center, which you have just created by overlapping and tucking in of folds in steps 9 and 10.
Step 11
Turn the model over, like turning the page of a book, and repeat Steps 9 and 10, folding in the left and right points, so the sides of the model become symmetrical.
You will now have a 5-sided figure with a triangle at the bottom, and sides that slope inwards towards the flat, horizontal top edge of the model.
Step 12
Next, form a strong horizontal crease by folding the bottom triangle upwards and creasing well.
Unfold again.
Step 13
Turn over and fold the bottom triangle up in the same way again, then crease and unfold.
These last two steps will shape the bottom of your container.
Step 14
Pick up your model. One end of the model will be closed. Find the open end and create a small opening by inserting a fingertip inside the folds of the model.
While doing this, gently start to pull apart the sides of the model.
Remember your shape will have four sides, so feel free to turn it around
in your hands if you encounter resistance when opening the container.
Some people help this process along by blowing forcefully into the open
end to inflate the container, but it is optional for this model.
The bottom and sides of the container should start to move apart. Once
you find the model has opened up into more or less the form of a
pyramid, gently insert a finger to shape your container from the inside, pushing out the edges and corners as needed and shaping the sides and bottom creases from the outside as well.
Be careful not to press too hard from the inside, so as not to undo your hard work.
You should end up with your very own elegant pyramid-container.
Making origami accessible to visually impaired crafters through text
instructions.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled by Lindy van der Merwe, September 2014
Revised, August 2026