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origamidiagrams

Rabbit ear

A rabbit ear is a move where two edges of a triangular flap are folded inward at the same time, so the paper between them stands up as a thin point that is then laid to one side.

First crease the lines that bisect two of the triangle’s corners; they meet somewhere inside the triangle. Then fold both edges in along those creases together, pinch the small ridge that rises from where they meet, and flatten it to the left or right. The move is often used to make a narrow leg, ear or fin from a wide flap.

Trouble usually comes from vague or misplaced bisector creases, which make the point collapse off-center or wrinkle. Crease each line precisely, then collapse slowly and let the ridge form on its own before choosing the side. None of the current models on this site need a rabbit ear, but it appears in many traditional animals.

How to fold a rabbit ear, step by step

  1. 1

    Start with a triangular flap. Fold one of its edges onto the bottom edge, crease and unfold; this crease bisects one corner.

  2. 2

    Do the same with the other slanted edge, so the two bisector creases meet inside the triangle.

  3. 3

    Fold both edges in along those creases at the same time.

  4. 4

    Pinch the small ridge of paper that stands up where the creases meet.

  5. 5

    Lay that ridge to the left or right, as the diagram shows, and flatten everything.

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Common mistakes and how to fix them

  • The point collapses off-center

    The bisector creases were imprecise. Each one must run exactly from its corner to the opposite edge; refold them carefully.

  • The paper wrinkles around the ridge

    Let the ridge rise on its own as the edges come in, instead of pinching it too early.

  • The point flops to the wrong side

    Check the diagram before you flatten: the direction of the ridge decides which way a leg or ear will point.

When you’ll use it

Rabbit ears turn broad paper into narrow points, which is why they appear in so many animals: legs, ears, fins and tails often start as a rabbit ear on a triangular flap. Two of them, made at opposite ends of a square, give the fish base. The move also teaches an important skill: letting the paper find its own path. When the creases are right, the ridge rises by itself and you only choose which side it lies on. If it never rises cleanly, look for a crease that does not run exactly to its corner, and remake it before trying again.

Rabbit ear: questions

What is a rabbit ear used for?+

It narrows a wide triangular flap into a thin point, which makes it a common way to form legs, ears and fins. Two rabbit ears at opposite ends of a square make the fish base.

Why is it called a rabbit ear?+

The thin point that stands up in the middle of the move looks like a rabbit’s ear before it is laid flat.

How is a rabbit ear shown in a diagram?+

With two valley lines bisecting the corners of the triangle, a mountain line along the small ridge, and an arrow showing the ridge being laid to one side.

Related folds and bases