Origami Page:
The Tulip

Mary Ellen Palmeri

Welcome to our monthly "Origami Page". Origami is folding paper and ending up with delightful figures and models, such as flowers, boxes and animals. This feature will showcase a different origami model in each monthly issue, with diagrams and photos to help readers learn how to fold them. Most models use one square of paper, some use a rectangle, and others use more than one piece of paper.

Click for printable file.

One of the most popular spring flowers is the Tulip, a wildflower said to originate from Persia. They come in a variety of colors, each of which often carries a special significance. Red tulips are most strongly associated with true love, while purple symbolizes royalty. Purple also symbolizes rebirth, therefore a perfect color for spring. Pink is not as strong a color as red, but is still a symbol of caring and good wishes and is great for giving to a friend. White tulips represent purity, innocence, forgiveness and respect, and are good for weddings, or to use when offering an apology. Yellow tulips are associated with sunshine and useful for any happy occasion. Thought to symbolize tranquility and peace, blue tulips convey a message of trust and loyalty when given to someone. And variegated tulips are considered to represent beautiful eyes because of their interesting color patterns.

Bouquets of origami tulips are a wonderful way to send a message of friendship or caring. They are especially appreciated when someone is in a hospital ward where real flowers are banned due to the risk of germs and allergies. Hand-made paper flowers will provide color and cheer in such a situation, and they can last much longer!

Enjoy!

Origami originated in ancient Asian cultures and has been adapted by contemporary artists worldwide to reflect their own cultures. Local artist Mary Ellen Palmeri has incorporated paper folding into many of her mixed media art paintings, and teaches origami classes locally and nationally. Some of her work can be seen in a Tucson Happenings feature here: Artist_Profile

All of her Paper Dream Paintings can be seen in her Etsy shop where custom matted art prints of her original work can be purchased. Go to: www.etsy.com/shop/LyricFineArts

Ms. Palmeri's original origami models have been published in books and magazines, she has been featured on broadcast media, and her mixed-media fine art works often include various original origami models. Origami LAFF (Lyric Arts Folding Fest) is a Tucson based club founded by Ms. Palmeri to provide a venue for sharing this art. The group meets monthly at a local library; for more details please contact the artist at info@lyric-arts.com