The Origins of Origami It is very difficult to try to determine the history of origami since not even the experts can agree on what or where it was. While most people think of Origami as being a strictly Japanese art form, many say it actually has it's roots in China going all the way back to the first or second century. Realizing someone is willing to take the time to teach and show them how to do this activity promotes positive emotions. When origami is demonstrated in a group setting, it helps the troubled individual experience a sense of belonging. It enables them to interact with others and connect with people who they can relate to. Cranes, boats, a bird, a house or a flower made from napkins (cloth or paper), paper towels or any other festive paper you have handy. Fold a large cloth napkin into a bread basket to keep your rolls warm through your meal. Patterned napkins or paper towels make attractive shirt or bow tie plate decorations. This may not sound too difficult. After all how much could a person actually make with a tiny dollar bill? Well over the years many people have taken on the challenge of money origami projects. Using the same principles that apply to paper origami, individuals have learned how to make clever and unique objects using money origami. Although the finished products are elaborate and obviously a challenge for the inexperienced person, the art of origami often uses two basic folds - the origami bird base and the origami square base. Learning how to do this activity will likely incorporate these two basic folds in most projects. As an individual advances in the art of origami, these basic folds will frequently be required for many projects. Both of these skills are needed in order to make origami, especially advanced origami a success. The individual needs to be able to look beyond the current step and know what should come next. They need to be capable of forecasting the outcome of each step of the origami process. If a mistake is made or a step is skipped, it is quite helpful if the person can figure out where they went wrong.