Origami star is a paper star made by following some defined steps of folding. “Origami” comes from the Japanese words “Oru” meaning “to fold” and “kami” meaning “paper”. Origami stars can be made with one sheet of paper, two or more sheets of paper producing the simplest two dimensional four pointed ninja stars to the more complicated three dimensional octagonal stars or omega stars.http://www.origami-resource-center.com/history-of-origami.html The motif of a star has been popular in many cultural and festive traditions. Origami stars are most often made as Christmas decorations. One notable example is the three dimensional Moravian star. Another well-known origami star is the lucky star which is sometimes called dream star or wishing star. It is believed that lucky stars bring good luck when they are made and when they are given away as gifts. http://www.tcpnow.com/activities/drstarorigami.html

The most important material for making origami star is the origami paper which comes in many grades, types, and sizes. They are usually square in shape, though some can be circular or rectangular. The most common type is colored on one side and white on the other side. Washi, generally tougher than ordinary paper made from wood pulp, is the traditional origami paper used in Japan. The inner barks of three native Japanese plants, namely kozo (paper mulberry), mitsumata shrub (Edgeworthia papyrifera) and gampi tree, are used primarily in the making of washi. http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/abt-japanese-paper/about-washi.htm New malleable materials like a sheet of fine silver can turn an origami star into a piece of jewelry. http://www.thisnext.com/item/8302ADD7/8A57D307/ORIGAMI-WISHING-STAR-NECKLACE

It is not clear when origami first started in Japan. The Japanese passed their recreational designs, from mother to daughter, via an oral tradition. Without written records, only the simplest designs were kept. http://www.origami.as/Info/history.php In the early 19th century, books and printed matter devoted exclusively to origami were published. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), origami was taught in the kindergarten and elementary school levels.http://www.origami.gr.jp/Archives/People/OKMR_/history-e.html By 1890s, the word origami as we understand today was more or less formally used, replacing the previous terms "orikata", "orisue", "orimono", or "tatamigami".http://www.origami-resource-center.com/history-of-origami.html Yoshizawa Akira left a lasting legacy to modern origami. Together with Sam Randlett, Master Yoshizawa developed the standard set of origami diagram symbols that is still used today. Exhibitions of his work, with many imaginative and novel origami creations, promoted origami to gain a worldwide following as a hobby among adults. http://www.origami.as/Info/history.php