MOD64 - FLORIAN (FROM 8 SQUARES USING THE FISH BASE)

Design: Lindy van der Merwe - 2026
Text-based tutorial © 2026 by Lindy van der Merwe and accessorigami.com
Folding level: Easy/Beginner
Paper to be used: 8 squares of around 15 cm; any kind of paper may be used.
Steps: 27
Description: This is a flat modular flower with 8 small points forming a decorative center on the front of the model.

Phase 1 - Folding a unit

Note: This unit starts from the Fish Base. If you are able to complete this without instructions, fold the base and then skip to Step 16.

Step 1

  • Position a square of paper color-side up so that its points are facing up and down, left and right.

Step 2

  • Bring the left point over to meet the right point. Crease and unfold.

Step 3

  • Bring the top point down to meet the bottom point. Crease and leave folded.

Step 4

  • Focus on the bottom left diagonal edge of the triangle. Taking the front layer only, fold this edge upwards to meet the top, hinged edge of the triangle. Crease well and leave folded.

Step 5

  • Repeat Step 4 with the bottom right diagonal edge of the triangle, folding the front layer up to meet the hinged edge as well. Crease and leave folded.

Step 6

  • Flip the figure over from left to right, keeping it oriented with the hinged edge at the top.

Step 7

  • Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the remaining single-layered triangle.

Step 8

  • Unfold the last four creases so you have the two-layered triangle again, its hinged edge still on the side furthest away from you with the two corners pointing towards you.

Step 9

  • Working with the front layer only, bring both left and right bottom edges together at the same time, using the creases made in Steps 4 and 5. While doing this, ensure that the vertical crease at the center of the model is a valley.
    When the edges align and the fold is completed, you will have formed a new triangular flap that will be pointing towards the ceiling.
    This type of fold is called a rabbit-ear fold.

Step 10

  • Fold this newly created triangle over to the left until it lies flat. Crease and then fold it flat over to the right, and crease.

Step 11

  • Flip the paper over from left to right.

Step 12

  • Repeat Steps 9 and 10 so you will form another rabbit-ear fold, pressing it flat in both directions like you did on the other side of the figure.

Step 13

  • The two-layered triangle will still have its hinge fold horizontally, furthest away from you. Open the model along this horizontal axis by lifting its bottom point up and away from you, in an arc, until the paper lies completely flat.
    You should now have a long diamond shape with its sharp points on the left and right. The surface facing up will be smooth, while the rabbit-ear folds will be touching the table.

Step 14

  • Take the left pointy end of the diamond and fold it over until it rests exactly on top of the right point. Allow the two rabbit-ear folds to flip from underneath the model as you make this fold.

Step 15

  • Rotate the model so the rabbit-ear folds are pointing towards you, to complete your Fish Base.

Step 16

  • Fold both of the rabbit-ear flaps straight upwards, away from you, as far as they will go so that the model will now have a straight bottom edge. Crease well and unfold the right flap only.

Step 17

  • Carefully open the right rabbit-ear flap and also the entire right side of the model as far as possible. The result will be that a four-sided flap will now have formed on the bottom right side of the unit. The raw edge that was lying along the vertical center will now form the right edge of the unit.

Step 18

  • Flip the unit over from left to right, keeping it with its straight edge nearest you and its pointy ends facing away from you.

Phase 2 - Fold More Units

  • Fold 7 more of these units.

Explanation

Before moving on to the assembly of your flower, make sure you have 8 modules that are all folded in the same way.
With the slit facing up and the pointy end facing away from you, note the following for each unit:
On the front, it will have a central vertical slit, which will serve as the pocket of the unit.
On the left, at the back, the four-sided shape will serve as the flap or tab of the unit.
The small triangle that is actually the remaining rabbit-ear fold will not be used during the assembly, but will form part of the decorative effect on what will be the front of the finished model.

Phase 3 - Assembly

Step 19

  • Make sure you place two units next to each other as indicated in the explanation above.

Step 20

  • Position unit 2 to the right of unit 1, and insert the left side of unit 2 into the slit of unit 1.

Step 21

  • Anchor the assembly with your left hand while gently lifting up unit 2 to the left, so you are able to find the flap at the back of it.

Step 22

  • Take this flap and, bending it carefully, insert it into the slit of unit 1 as well.
    Result: The left side and flap of unit 2 will now be completely hidden inside the pocket of unit 1.

Step 23

  • Repeat the insertion with units 3 to 8.

Step 24

  • If necessary, bring unit 1 from underneath the assembly so it lies on top of unit 8.

Step 25

  • Insert the remaining tab of unit 1 into the pocket of unit 8.
    Your ring will now be closed.

Step 26

  • Flip the assembly over to the other side, which will end up being the front of the model.

Step 27

  • Focus on the small pointy triangles you will find at the center of the flower. Arrange these small points in a circular manner so they are either flat or slightly lifted from the surface of the model.

Making origami accessible through text-based tutorials.
For non-commercial use only.
Compiled: November 2026
This text is © 2026 by accessorigami.com and the authors.