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Origami Lotus Flower (Thamarai) for Pooja & Golu Decoration

Ages 11+ Flowers Medium ⏱ 25 minutes

Fold a paper lotus from one square sheet for Navaratri golu, Diwali, Karthigai Deepam and pooja room decoration. Step-by-step origami with no glue or cutting.

Origami Lotus Flower (Thamarai) for Pooja & Golu Decoration

What you need

  • 1 square sheet of paper, 20 cm � 20 cm (pink, red or white origami paper)
  • Green paper for leaves (optional)
  • A small diya or tea light to place in the centre (optional; LED tea lights are safest)

How to make it

  • Dashed line: fold towards you
  • Dash-dot line: fold behind
  • Blue arrow: move the paper this way
  • Turn the paper over
  • Orange line: cut here
  • Letters mark corners and points
  1. Step 1: Square ABCD with both diagonal creases crossing at O

    Place the square sheet coloured side down, corners A, B, C, D. Fold A onto C and open; fold B onto D and open. The two creases cross at the centre O.

  2. Step 2: Corners A, B, C and D folded to the centre

    Fold each corner A, B, C and D in to the centre O along the dashed lines. You get a smaller square standing on its point, with corners E, F, G and H.

  3. Step 3: Corners E, F, G and H folded to the centre

    Fold corners E, F, G and H in to the centre along the dashed lines. The new, smaller square has corners I, J, K and L.

  4. Step 4: Paper turned over, corners I, J, K and L folded to the centre

    Turn the paper over. Fold corners I, J, K and L in to the centre once more and press every fold hard.

  5. Step 5: First petal M pulled out from behind while holding the centre

    Hold the centre firmly with one finger. Reach under the top corner, find the flap underneath and pull it up and outwards so it curls round the corner. This is petal M.

  6. Step 6: Four petals M, N, P and Q

    Do the same at the other three corners to make petals N, P and Q. That is the first ring of petals.

  7. Step 7: Second ring of petals pulled out between the first

    Between the petals, find four more flaps underneath, like R. Pull each one out to make the second ring of petals.

  8. Step 8: Flower turned over, green outer petals pulled from the back

    Turn the flower over. Pull out the last four flaps from the back, like S, to make the outer petals or leaves.

  9. Step 9: Finished lotus with a tea light in the centre

    Shape each petal with your fingers so the lotus opens evenly. Place an LED tea light in the centre.

Tips

  • Use paper that is coloured on both sides, or use thin paper. Thick chart paper is too stiff for the last folds.
  • The more exact your first folds meet the centre, the more even the petals will be.
  • Never leave a real oil diya burning in a paper lotus. Use an LED tea light, or place the lotus beside the lamp instead.

Lotus decoration for South Indian festivals

The thamarai (lotus) is a favourite in pooja rooms across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. Make a row of these lotuses for the Navaratri golu steps, around the kolam for Diwali or Karthigai Deepam, or on the plate for Varalakshmi Vratham. Children in middle school can make them as a festival art and craft activity, and the same fold makes beautiful table decorations for housewarming (gruhapravesam) and weddings.