Easy Origami Dragon: Step-by-Step Instructions

Learn how to make an origami dragon with our step-by-step instructions.

The head features a distinctive horn, while a series of intricate folds along the back represent spines and textured scales. With its flexible, swinging tail and large, bat-like wings spread wide, the model looks as if it is soaring through the sky. The overall shape embodies a sense of movement and power, capturing the mystery and majesty of this legendary creature.

Why not create three dragons following our detailed instructions, similar to the three dragons Daenerys Targaryen has in Game of Thrones? That would be interesting!

If you are new to origami, start here from our beginner guide to know the basics and how to read the step-by-step instructions.

Speaking of the dragon element, we offer origami dragon claws, which are fantastic and will give you strength. Check our Origami Godzilla if you want something as cool as this dragon.

Easy Dragon Claws

Origami Godzilla

• Folding time: 20 minutes
• Paper: 15×15 cm
• Total steps: 30
• Difficulty: Advanced

Material

Prepare 15×15 cm origami square paper with different colors on each side to create a 13×10 cm origami dragon. Feel free to experiment with various colors to give your project a unique outlook.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Place the paper with the desired display color side up to begin folding, fold it in half horizontally, crease it well, and unfold it. Then, fold it in half vertically and unfold it.

Step 2

Flip the paper over from left to right.

Step 3

Fold the bottom right edge to align with the top left edge, leaving a crease, and unfold it

Fold the bottom left edge to align with the top right edge, leaving a crease, and unfold it.

Step 4

Mountain fold the left and right creases, then fold the left, right, and top points to meet the bottom point, and finally, flatten the fold to get a small square.

Step 5

Fold the bottom left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease, then fold down the top triangle. Crease them well, and unfold them.

Step 6

Mountain fold the creases you just made on the upper layer, then lift the top layer and push the left and right points toward the center. Finally, flatten the fold.

Step 7

Turn over the paper from left to right, then fold the bottom left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease, leaving two ceases, and unfold them.

Step 8

Mountain fold the creases you just made on the upper layer, then lift the top layer and push the left and right points toward the center. Finally, flatten the fold.

Step 9

Fold the bottom left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease, then rotate the paper 180 degrees from left to right, and fold the bottom left and right edges to align with the middle vertical crease.

Step 10

Fold up the left and right flaps, and unfold them.

Step 11

Fold the top layer on the right side to the left along the middle vertical crease [picture 1], then mountain fold the middle vertical crease of the top layer indicated by the red dotted line, bring up this flap along the crease you made in the previous step [picture 2].

Next, fold the top layer on the left side back to the right side to close the opening [pictures 3 to 5].

Step 12

Fold the left side the same way.

Fold the top layer on the left side to the right along the middle vertical crease [picture 1], then mountain fold the middle vertical crease of the top layer indicated by the red dotted line, bring up this flap along the crease you made in the step 10 [picture 2].

Next, fold the top layer on the right side back to the left side to close the opening [pictures 3 to 5].

Step 13

Fold down the right flap along the black dotted line, and unfold it.

Step 14

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from front to back, then expand the right flap.

Step 15

Mountain fold the creases you made in step 13, then fold the right tip toward the left side along the black dotted line [pictures 1 and 2].

Then, close this flap upward and rotate the paper 90 degrees from back to front.

Step 16

Gently lift the top layer from the left side, then fold down the left flap. Next, fold it up a short section, and then fold it down again to create a zigzag shape.

Step 17

Fold up the tip of the tail again, and finally, unfold them completely to expand the tail.

Step 18

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from front to back, then expand the opening of the tail from the bottom.

Step 19

Mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines [picture 1], and lift the left point along the creases indicated by the black dotted lines, to make two valley folds [picture 2].

Mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines [picture 3], and valley fold the creases indicated by the black dotted lines [picture 4].

Finally, rotate the paper 90 degrees from back to front.

Step 20

Fold down the top wing along the horizontal dotted line that connects two red spots, then fold it up, and finally, fold it up again to create a zigzag shape.

Step 21

Fold up the wing and then fold it down along the black dotted line.

Step 22

Flip over the paper from left to right.

Step 23

Fold down the wing and then fold it up along the black dotted lines that connect the red spots.

Step 24

Fold this wing down, then up, and finally down.

Step 25

Rotate the model 90 degrees from front to back, then spread the two wings.

Step 26

Bulk up and flatten the center by pulling the four corners outward as shown below [pictures 1 and 2].

Then, make three mountain folds, shown by the red dotted lines, and two valley folds, shown by the black dotted lines [pictures 3 and 4].

Step 27

Bring the three mountain folds together and unfold them, then gather the bottom wing.

Step 28

Shape the top wing as the following pictures show.

Step 29

Shape the bottom wing in the same way.

Step 30

That’s your cool and easy origami dragon.

What’s Next

Now you have completed making this cool origami dragon. Next, check out our other easy origami animals for beginners and kids. Happy folding!

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