Some of you may have discovered that you have received a valentines treat in your order! This paper-folding activity is also known as a form of origami, from the Japanese words “oru” (to fold) and “kami” (paper). Yet the Fortune Teller is now played all over the world, with different names in each country, such as the “flip flapper” in Denmark. But where did the Fortune Teller come from? It has gone through a few changes to get to what it is now, originally being a salt cellar and progressing to a fortune teller, there’s been quite the evolution. Yet its physical structure has always been the same.
The use of them as a paper fortune teller date back to school playgrounds in England, in the 1950s. Since then it’s been used as a fun way to ask and answer questions like “will I become a millionaire?” It’s up to the creator to decide on the answers, or the question that must be asked. Some sneaky fortunes I remember using are “you’ll have 5 houses” (HAH! I wish!) or “you’ll marry a goat” (I was so funny).
So enjoy your freebie, & if you don’t know how to fold it, have no fear! Instructions are here! Don’t forget to write your fortunes inside before you fold it! It’s much easier to do it when it’s still flat.
