There's a reason the carnation is the flower of Mother's Day: it says "I love you" without needing the words. This origami version captures that ruffled, layered charm, and it'll never wilt.

The flower takes a little patience as you shape each petal, but the moves are basic—folds, a couple of snips, and some gentle squashing. Add the stem and you've got a bloom that stands on its own, or fold a whole bouquet in pink and red to really make someone's day.

Way of Folding

STEP 1. Fold the paper in half vertically.

STEP 2. Fold it in half again the same way.

STEP 3. Fold it in half one more time.

STEP 4. When you open it, you’ll see 7 crease lines.

STEP 5. Use this crease to fold it step by step from one end. Push that end upward…

STEP 6. Next, push it down…

STEP 7. Finally, tilt it upward.

STEP 8. Fold it in half at the blue line in the middle.

STEP 9. Fold it in half so the two ★ marks line up.

STEP 10. Cut along the white line with scissors.

STEP 11. Open it…

STEP 12. When it opens further, fold it toward the yellow line.

STEP 13. Make a crease.

STEP 14. Press the ▲ part with your thumb and pull the △ to open it.

STEP 15. Spread and squash the green-outlined section into a triangle.

STEP 16. Squash the other side the same way.

STEP 17. Fold upward from just below the creased yellow line.

STEP 18. Holding near the ● with your thumb, pull 〇 outward to open it, then spread and squash it as shown.

STEP 19. Squash the other side the same way.

STEP 20. Now you have the petals.

STEP 21. Turn it over, fold along the dotted line, and secure with tape.

STEP 22. The carnation flower is done!

Next, let’s make the stem.

STEP 1. Prepare a strip of origami paper cut to one-quarter of its length.

STEP 2. Fold it in half vertically.

STEP 3. Unfold once, then fold so the red line meets the blue line in the middle.

STEP 4. Fold it in half and unfold.

STEP 5. Fold so the yellow line overlaps the pink line, then make a crease.

STEP 6. Return it to position, then fold and unfold along the orange line.

STEP 7. Fold gradually at the green line.

STEP 8. Fold the white line so the purple part forms a triangle.

STEP 9. Do the same on the opposite side.

STEP 10. Fold the light blue line.

STEP 11. Turn it over—done!

STEP 12. Attach the flower on top!

It’s also nice to make several, wrap them in paper to look like a bouquet, or glue one to a card to send a message.

After Folding

The language of carnations: red means a mother’s love; pink means gratitude.

On Mother’s Day, a pink carnation is a lovely way to share feelings you don’t always say out loud.

Give your mother an origami carnation as a gift.