Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, is traditionally made with square sheets of paper. However, some origami artists substitute other materials, including dollar bills. Catfish, or namazu, symbolize disorder in Japanese art. More specifically, they are a representation of earthquakes. They have also been used to depict political disorder. A dollar bill origami catfish can be intricate, involving dozens of pleats, or it can be basic and approachable for someone brand new to origami.
Fold one corner of the dollar bill down to meet the bottom. This will be used as a marker to help create a square.
Crease the dollar at the other edge of the triangle and fold it underneath.
Unfold the triangle. That section of the dollar should be a square shape. Fold the extra flap on the longer inside.
Tape the edge if you'd like to keep the square shape in place.
Turn the square so you have a diamond shape in front of you.
Fold the diamond in half into a triangle. Unfold.
Fold the left corner into a small triangle. This will be the squared off head of the catfish.
Fold the diamond in half again.
Fold the top corner down to meet the flat bottom edge. Repeat on the other side. These are the fins.
Fold the corners of the "fins" up.
Fold the right corner up to meet the edge of the fin. This is the tail.