Learn how to make an origami Estonian cornflower

VINCENT TEETSOV

Cornflowers are patriotic symbols in Estonia just as much as they are symbols of the summer. As Ken Kalling of the Estonian Institute tells it, a national flower was decided upon through a TV competition run by nature conservation organizations in Estonia from 1967 to 1968.

Kalling continues, “The observation that the cornflower is primarily a weed that grows among rye, the principal grain in Estonian bread (hence its name in Estonian, rukkilill – ‘rye flower’), only added to its popularity.” The cornflower’s colour is also reminiscent of the blue of the Estonian flag.

They are planted in spring, bloom in the golden summer sun, and into the beginning of autumn. But you can have them earlier in the year as a paper decoration. Follow along with these steps for a standard origami folding method.

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Photo: Vincent Teetsov