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Easy Butterfly OrigamiMy new book, Easy Butterfly Origami features 30 bold full-color patterns designed to accurately portray the dorsal and ventral sides of some of the most beautiful butterflies from around the world!
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Chinese Astrology: What's Your Horoscope?
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Chinese astrology can be traced back more than 4,000 years ago when Emperor Yao commanded court astronomers to calculate a calendar so people would know when to plant and sow. 2,000 years later during the Tang dynasty (AD 618-907), astrology gained popularity when the Emperor ordered officials at the Imperial Court to construct a Chinese almanac or Tung Shu, which is still produced every year. The almanac lists auspicious days to open a business, marry, embark on a long journey or make other personal decisions.
The Chinese year is based on the lunar year and does not start until late January or early February. In Chinese astrology there are 12 signs named after 12 animals: Rat, Ox , Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar . People born under a certain sign will inherit some of the personality of that animal. Therefore those born in the year of the Tiger are courageous and dignified, like the Tiger, while those born in the year of the Dog are loyal and devoted, like the Dog.
To discover your zodiac sign, enter your birth year in the Chinese Zodiac Game in the sidebar. Then select your Zodiac Animal to learn your horoscope:
•Boar •Rat •Ox •Tiger •Rabbit •Dragon •Snake •Horse •Ram •Monkey •Rooster •Dog | You might enjoy: |
All Things Tiger for Earth Day
Imagine a world where factories dumped toxic waste into streams and lakes, or chug poisonous black fumes into the air, and there was little you could do to stop them. That's what it was like before 1970.
That is, until the Spring of 1970, when Senator Gaylord Nelson created Earth Day as a way to increase awareness of our environment, and measures needed to create a cleaner, safer world. 20 million Americans demonstrated across the United States, and in December 1970, Congress authorized the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Since 2010 is the Year of the Tiger in Chinese astrology, how about indulging in Tiger-themed origami for Earth Day?
Tiger Lilies
These brightly colored flowers can be found in open woods and forest openings throughout western North America, from British Columbia to California, and Idaho to Nevada. Tiger lilies are edible, and can be used as cake decorations. Native Americans boiled or steamed the bulbs, and Chinese planted lilies in rows for food. And who can forget the character Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, the Piccaninny princess of Neverland, who was kidnapped by Captain Hook?
Print and fold a Tiger Lily:
Vanishing Tigers
As the largest living cat, adult male tigers can weigh as much as 700 pounds and eat 80 pounds of meat in a single sitting. Now these majestic animals are threatened with extinction. For thousands of years, they have been hunted as status symbols and their bones have been used in traditional Asian medicines. Today they must also face habitat loss, as humans move into their dwindling range and compete for food and resources.
Print and fold a tiger:
Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a commonly found in western North America, from British Columbia to North Dakota in the north to Baja California and New Mexico in the south.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, found throughout the Eastern United States as far north as southern Vermont and west to Eastern Colorado, is the official state butterfly of Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.
Butterflies emerge from their chrysalis in February to May, gathering near pools and streams where they drink and replenish minerals.
Print and fold a Tiger Swallowtail Origami:
Year of the Tiger in Chinese Astrology
If you were born in 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010, you're a tiger! (I am, but I'm not revealing which year.) Want to know what Tiger people are like? Here's a sampling:
"You have an active and creative mind with great ideas for some new activity. You do not like to be tied down by rules or by directives from others. A natural leader born under the sign of courage, you seldom seek others for support as you like to execute a certain amount of independence. You like to be free and do as you please."
Want to learn more? Click here.
Happy Earth Day 2010!
©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved
Camellia Origami
The Japanese Camellia (Camellia japonica), also known as the "Rose of Winter," is the most beautiful and prized of all the camellias. Originally from China, Japan and Korea, the Japanese Camellia is the official state flower of Alabama.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Directions:
1. Print and cut out Camellia origami along outer solid lines.
2a. With printed side facing down, fold half along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.
2b. Fold in half along vertical line as shown. Unfold.
3. With printed side facing up, fold in half along diagonal line as shown. Unfold.
4. Your camellia origami should be creased as shown:
5. Fold along blue lines, pulling in on red lines to create a "tent" fold as shown. Your camellia should now be shaped like a diamond.
6a. Fold back right white corner as shown.
6b. Repeat on other side, folding left white corner back as shown.
7. Turn your origami over.
8. Repeat process, folding back right and left white corners.
9."Open" your camellia by pulling out right petal, then pulling out left petal.
10. Complete your camellia by folding back down, as shown.
©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Directions:
1. Print and cut out Camellia origami along outer solid lines.
2a. With printed side facing down, fold half along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.
2b. Fold in half along vertical line as shown. Unfold.
3. With printed side facing up, fold in half along diagonal line as shown. Unfold.
4. Your camellia origami should be creased as shown:
5. Fold along blue lines, pulling in on red lines to create a "tent" fold as shown. Your camellia should now be shaped like a diamond.
6a. Fold back right white corner as shown.
6b. Repeat on other side, folding left white corner back as shown.
7. Turn your origami over.
8. Repeat process, folding back right and left white corners.
9."Open" your camellia by pulling out right petal, then pulling out left petal.
10. Complete your camellia by folding back down, as shown.
©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
Iris Origami
The iris is the official state flower for Tennessee, and the official state wildflower for Louisiana (Louisiana iris) and Michigan (dwarf lake iris).
In Japan, the Iris Festival (Shobu no Sekku) is held each May in honor of this symbolic flower, the long leaves of which resemble the sharp blades of a sword. For centuries it was customary to place iris leaves in a boy's bath to give him a martial spirit.
There more than 200 species of iris around the world, and although we often think of irises as brilliant purple flowers, they in fact come in a variety of colors. In fact, the name "iris" comes from the Greek word for rainbow.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Directions:
1a. Print and cut out iris origami along outer solid lines.
1b. Fold along diagonal line A as shown.
1c. Fold in half again, along vertical line marked in red.
2a. Note diagonal line, marked in red.
2b. Fold up along diagonal line.
2c. Unfold.
3a, b & c. Carefully open upper "flap" along creases to form a diamond, as shown.
4a. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the reverse side, so that both sides resemble diamonds.
4b & c. Fold along the red lines so that the corners meet at the center, as shown.
5a. Fold along red lines,
5b. toward the center so that your origami appears as shown. Repeat on the reverse side.
6. Fold right side of origami over so that the picture of the large flower petals is showing. Repeat on reverse side.
7. Fold inner petals down as shown.
©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
In Japan, the Iris Festival (Shobu no Sekku) is held each May in honor of this symbolic flower, the long leaves of which resemble the sharp blades of a sword. For centuries it was customary to place iris leaves in a boy's bath to give him a martial spirit.
There more than 200 species of iris around the world, and although we often think of irises as brilliant purple flowers, they in fact come in a variety of colors. In fact, the name "iris" comes from the Greek word for rainbow.
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Directions:
1a. Print and cut out iris origami along outer solid lines.
1b. Fold along diagonal line A as shown.
1c. Fold in half again, along vertical line marked in red.
2a. Note diagonal line, marked in red.
2b. Fold up along diagonal line.
2c. Unfold.
3a, b & c. Carefully open upper "flap" along creases to form a diamond, as shown.
4a. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the reverse side, so that both sides resemble diamonds.
4b & c. Fold along the red lines so that the corners meet at the center, as shown.
5a. Fold along red lines,
5b. toward the center so that your origami appears as shown. Repeat on the reverse side.
6. Fold right side of origami over so that the picture of the large flower petals is showing. Repeat on reverse side.
7. Fold inner petals down as shown.
©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
Chinese Zodiac: The Year of the Dog
 1934 February 14 to February 03 1935 1946 February 02 to January 21 1947 1958 February 18 to February 07 1959 1970 February 06 to January 26 1971 1982 January 25 to February 12 1983 1994 February 10 to January 30 1995 2006 January 29 to February 17 2007 2018 February 16 to February 04 2019 |
PERSONALITY
You are much admired for your honest and courageous nature, always ready to defend friends and others who have suffered an injustice. Your friends know that you can surely be depended on because of your loyalty, trust and fairness. Furthermore, you sincerely believe that honesty is the best policy and your advice and help are always welcome. Friends know that very seldom would you ever cancel a commitment or betray anyone. However, you will always remember the person who had caused pain by rejecting or hurting you in any way.
You perform well whenever you serve others, and when you are motivated nothing can hinder you from reaching your goal. Without a sense of purpose though, you achieve very little in life.
A bad habit that you possess is the tendency to worry unnecessarily and to see things in a negative way. This trait may drain your spirit and cause you to be anxious about potential problems. Try not to tire yourself by thinking about problems that have not even emerged. Although you have a keen sense of duty and responsibility, bear in mind that it is impossible for you to carry every burden, so learn to relax more.
You are usually a good conversationalist and quick-witted with an alert mind. But you do not particularly care to attend large gatherings or parties. Instead, having a quiet meal with a few friends will just suit you fine.
Becoming wealthy is never a goal of yours, for you are not materialistic and are satisfied with having just enough money to support your family and an occasional luxury. But beware if you should have lots of spare money in your hands because then you will have the tendency to indulge in foolish spending.
MARRIAGE
Good for matrimony with horse, tiger or rabbit year people.
Avoid mating with ox, rooster, dragon or ram year people.
COLOR: YELLOW
The dog is linked to the color yellow, the imperial color of China that was once reserved for the emperor. Yellow symbolizes progress, fame and achievement. It also represents earth, since the fertile soils in parts of China has a yellow hue.
| Learn about the other signs of the Chinese zodiac: | |
•Boar •Rat •Ox •Tiger •Rabbit •Dragon •Snake •Horse •Ram •Monkey •Rooster •Dog | You might enjoy: |
Text ©1998 Mildred Chun. Illustrations ©1998 by Tammy Yee. All rights reserved.
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