With the Persian New Year (Nowruz) approaching, our group has been using the changing seasons as an “excuse” to explore different cultures and the many ways the world celebrates spring.
In Persian tradition, the fish is a powerful symbol of new beginnings and life. It is often a key part of the Haft-sin table—the traditional New Year display. To bring this tradition into our space, we decided to spend the afternoon practicing the ancient art of origami to create our own paper fish.
The Practice: More Than Just Folding
Like all our origami sessions, this project was carefully chosen to match the abilities of the group. We took it one step at a time, turning flat sheets of paper into something three-dimensional.
While it looks like “just paper folding,” this exercise is actually a workout for the mind and body:
- Precision & Pressure: Participants practiced controlling the pressure of their hands to get that perfect, crisp edge.
- Geometric Language: We used the session to talk about geometry—identifying diagonals, corners, and edges. It’s a great way to keep the brain sharp and focused on spatial recognition.
- Dexterity: The small, intentional movements required for folding are excellent for maintaining hand-eye coordination.
The Conversation: From Traditions to Taste Buds
As our hands stayed busy, we shared stories about why the fish is so important across the globe—from Farsi and Chinese traditions to the deep roots of the First Nations here in Canada.
But the best part of the afternoon was when the conversation turned personal. I asked the group about their own memories: Who here was the family’s best fisherman? What is your favorite way to cook a fresh catch? We talked about everything from secret seafood recipes to childhood trips to the docks. It wasn’t just an art class; it was a trip down memory lane.
The “New Pet”
The afternoon ended with a moment of pure joy. One of our members, Sue, looked at her finished origami fish and declared that she felt so connected to it, she couldn’t possibly talk about eating fish anymore—it was her new pet!
The room immediately filled with laughter as everyone started joking with her about her “low-maintenance” companion. That sound of shared laughter is exactly why we do what we do.
In our group, we don’t just make art; we make connections. And as we head into the new year, it’s clear that these small paper fish have brought a whole lot of life into the room.
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