Paper Crafts Origami Beginner Origami

How to Make a Origami Peace Dove

origami peace dove instructions

The Spruce / Chrissy Pk

Getting Started

Learn how to make a traditional origami Peace Dove, this origami bird is quite easy to make and has no complicated folds. 

A dove is a symbol of peace for some religions, in Christianity, a white dove holding an olive leaf in its beak appeared in the story of Noah's Ark.

This Origami Dove could also be a parrot or other bird. They would look pretty if you made a few of them for a wall display. A small one could be included on a baby mobile or hung as a statement piece on its own.

If you like origami animals, why not try to start a menagerie with an easy origami swan or an elephant?

Materials Needed

  • 1 sheet of square paper
  • For the tutorial, we used thin paper that was 20 x 20 cm. With the same color on both sides.
  • If your paper has a white side, you will not see the white color on the finished model.

Make the Initial Folds

Beginning folds for the origami peace dove
The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  1. Starting white side up, fold your paper diagonally in half and then in half again. Start with your paper in the position shown.
  2. Fold the bottom left of the top layer up to the top right corner.
  3. Repeat on the back.
  4. This is what you should now have.

Position Your Paper and Fold Again

Folds for the body of the origami peace dove
The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  1. Make sure the paper is in this position.
  2. Fold one layer from the bottom corner up to the top.
  3. Unfold and reverse inside fold the last crease.
  4. Flatten the model again.

Fix the Beak

Making the beak of the origami peace dove
The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  1. Repeat the last fold on the back. This is the view from the top.
  2. Fold the head of the dove down like this.
  3. Inside reverse fold the head.
  4. Pull the beak until it's in the position you want.
  5. This is what it should look like.

Finishing Folds

Finishing folds of the origami peace dove
The Spruce / Chrissy Pk
  1. Fold one of the wings up, and repeat on the back.
  2. Fold the tail to meet the vertical line.
  3. Open the tail out and reverse fold the last crease.
  4. Wrap the tail around the body.

Now you have completed your origami peace dove. If you had some trouble following along, start from the beginning, it can take a couple of tries. There are plenty of other origami animals (turtles, foxes, turkeys, etc.) you can make after you've mastered this one.