Introduction
Fortune tellers are a popular children’s toy that date back generations. They are easy to make and can be customized with different designs and fortunes. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to make a fortune teller, its historical significance across cultures, superstitions associated with fortune telling, its presence in pop culture, creative variations on making your own fortune teller, and games you can play with this beloved toy.
Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Make a Fortune Teller
To make a fortune teller, you only need a sheet of paper and a marker. Before you begin folding, make sure to choose a colored or patterned paper to make it more fun. Follow the steps below to make a standard fortune teller:
1. Start with a square sheet of paper. If you don’t have a square sheet of paper, fold one corner across to the opposite edge to create a triangle, then trim off the excess rectangle at the bottom.
2. Fold the square in half horizontally, then unfold.
3. Fold the paper in half vertically, then unfold.
4. Fold each corner of the paper into the center, creasing the paper vertically and horizontally, then unfold.
5. Flip the paper over and fold each corner into the center again, this time creasing the paper diagonally, then unfold.
6. Fold the paper in half diagonally, then unfold.
7. Fold the paper in half diagonally the other way, then unfold.
8. Push the top and bottom corners together, creasing the paper horizontally and vertically, then turn the paper over.
9. Fold the new corners into the center, then flip the paper over again and write colors and numbers in the eight triangles created by the folds. Open up the flaps on the inside and write fortunes underneath.
Historical Significance of Fortune Telling
Fortune telling has been around since ancient times and has been practiced in numerous cultures across the world. Divination, for example, was a significant part of the religious practices of ancient peoples such as the Greeks, Romans, and even the Hebrews. During the Middle Ages, fortune telling became more widespread, often practiced by Gypsies or Roma people. They used various means, from crystal balls to tarot cards, to predict the future.
Today, the practice of fortune telling has evolved into a popular pastime, especially among children. In the 1920s, paper fortune tellers were commonly used to tell fortunes, and this practice has continued to thrive over the years.
Superstitions Associated with Fortune Telling
Fortune telling has always been associated with superstitions, often encouraging people to believe in supernatural forces that can predict their fate. Many people believe in these predictions, leading to some influence on culture and society. Some popular superstitions about fortune telling include:
– The number 13 is unlucky.
– Black cats bring bad luck.
– Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.
– Seeing a shooting star means something lucky will happen to you.
While these beliefs may seem ridiculous to some, they have stood the test of time and continue to be passed down through generations. They have also aided in the popularity of fortune telling, even in modern times.
Fortune Telling in Pop Culture
Fortune telling has been used in popular culture in various ways, from storytelling devices to plot points in movies and TV shows. Here are some popular examples:
– In the Harry Potter series, Divination is a class taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where students learn to predict the future via crystal balls, tea leaves, and tarot cards.
– The 2002 horror movie, The Ring, features a video tape that predicts the death of anyone who watches it. The prophecies work like a fortune teller, setting the scene for the character’s ultimate fate.
– In the popular TV show, The Simpsons, Lisa and Bart create a paper fortune teller that Lisa uses to predict her future.
These examples show how the influence of fortune telling has made it a recognizable aspect of pop culture.
Creative Variations On Making Fortune Tellers
The basic paper fortune teller can be customized in a multitude of ways to make it creative and original. Some suggestions include:
– Using different colored paper to make it more visually appealing.
– Using stickers, stamps, or markers to add decorative touches.
– Cutting out shapes or designs into the flaps to make a unique pattern.
Get creative and make a fortune teller that is unique and reflective of your personality.
Fortune Teller Games
The traditional use for fortune tellers is to predict the future using a series of yes or no questions. But fortune tellers can be used for much more than that. Here are some alternative games you can play:
– As a storytelling prompt: On the inside flaps, write different characters or scenarios, and have one person choose them while the other creates a story using the selected elements.
– Decision-making tool: Write different choices on the inside flaps, such as “stay in” or “go out,” and have the person choose one flap at a time to narrow it down to their ultimate decision.
– Math game: Write basic math problems on the inside flaps and have children solve them.
The possibilities for fun games using fortune tellers are endless.
Conclusion
Fortune tellers have been around for generations and continue to be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Through this article, you’ve learned how to make a paper fortune teller, plus a bit about its historical significance, superstitions, and pop culture references. You’ve also discovered that there are creative variations on making fortune tellers, and they can be used for unique games beyond traditional use.