The Public Paperfolding History Project

Main Index Page

Last updated 20/8/2025

x
The Chrysanthemum
 
This page is being used to collect information about the history of the paperfolding design known as the Chrysanthemum. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

Note that while the finished appearance of all the Chrysanthemums recorded on this page is similar, the way in which they are made differs in detail.

There is a separate page for The Chrysanthemum Box.

**********

In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1914

Diagrams for the 'Chrysanthemum' (left hand diagrams) appear in 'Zhe zhi tu shuo' (Illustrated Paperfolding), compiled by Gui Shaolie, which was published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai in Ming guo 3 (1914). This version is developed from a Windmill Base.

**********

In Western Europe and the Americas

1890

Diagrams appear in 'Exercises Methodiques de Travaux Manuels' by Jean Boogaerts, which was published in Belgium and France in 1890. This version is not developed from the Windmill Base but from a base made by folding each of the edges of a square inwards in turn.

**********

The same design appears:

1940

As a 'Cuadrado Imbricado Roseta' in 'El Plegado y Cartonaje en la Escuela Primaria' by Antonio M Luchia and Corina Luciani de Luchia, which was published by Editorial Kapelusz in Buenos Aires in 1940. This version appears to be developed from a Windmill Base, although specific diagrams for its construction are not included in the work.

**********