Color the flag of the United States of America:
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!
|
Chinese Astrology: What's Your Horoscope?
 | |
 |  |
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
