It has been a long time since I last saw a real dragonfly in the wild. How about you? This time, let’s use just one square piece of paper to bring this beautiful insect back to life.
This model is very lifelike with four wings and a realistic, tilted head. I recommend using a 10-15cm square paper. This size makes the dragonfly look small, exquisite, and very cute.
Please be patient and gentle with the paper. We will fold the head and wings carefully to make it look real. Let’s get started!
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.
- Folding time: 20 minutes
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Total steps: 25
- Difficulty: Intermediate
Material
Prepare a single 15×15 cm square of origami paper, and you will create a dragonfly that measures approximately 10×13 cm. You will also need a pair of scissors.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper in a diamond shape, with the desired display side face up. Fold and unfold along both diagonals to create two creases. Then flip the paper over.
Step 2
Fold and unfold it in half edge-to-edge in both directions to get another two creases.
Step 3
Bring the left, right, and top points down to meet the bottom point based on the existing creases. Press the paper flat, getting a smaller square.
Step 4
Fold the bottom right edge to meet the center vertical crease (the top two layers only). Repeat on the bottom left edge. Then unfold.
Fold the top point down, along with the black dotted line in the third picture. Then, unfold, leaving a triangle.
Step 5
Make mountain fold along the creases you made in the previous step, indicated by two red dash-dot lines (the top layer only) (picture 1).
Then gently lift the bottom point of the top layer upward along the horizontal crease. As you lift, push the left and right points inward toward the center (pictures 2-3).
Press the paper flat. Finally, fold the top triangle downward, and flip the model from left to right (pictures 4-6).
Step 6
Same process as before. Fold the bottom left and bottom right edges to align the center vertical crease. Crease them well, and unfold them (pictures 1-2).
Make mountain fold along the creases indicated by two red dash-dot lines (the top layer only) (picture 3).
Then gently lift the bottom point of the top layer upward along the horizontal crease. As you lift, push the left and right points inward toward the center. Press the paper flat (pictures 4-6).
Step 7
Fold the two side flaps upward so their inner edges align with the horizontal center crease. Crease sharply, and unfold them.
Step 8
Fold the right-side top flap over to the left along the center vertical line (picture 1).
Mountain fold the vertical crease indicated by the red dash-dot line (picture 2).
Then, bring this crease toward the right along the existing crease shown by the black dotted line (picture 3).
Next, mountain fold along the short crease indicated by the red dash-dot line, and bring it up as well (picture 4).
Finally, press everything flat to form a horizontal wing shape (picture 5).
Step 9
Now, perform a similar process on the left side to create a mirror image.
Flip the top left flap over to the right along the center, then mountain fold the vertical crease and swing it out to the left to align with the horizontal line. Mountain fold the short crease on the lifted layer, and press flat to complete the symmetrical wing.
Step 10
Focus on the top triangular layer, fold its right edge align with the center vertical line. As you fold, a small pocket will naturally form, as you can see in the 2nd picture. Simply flatten it along the white diagonal dotted line connecting the two corners (red dots).
Step 11
Mirror the fold on the left side of the top flap to keep the model symmetrical.
Fold the left edge to align with the center vertical line. Flatten the formed pocket along the diagonal white dotted line to match the right side.
Step 12
Turn the model over from left to right.
Step 13
Now, apply the same logic to the top layer on this side to narrow the dragonfly’s body.
Fold the right edge of this bottom layer to align with the center vertical line. This will naturally form a pocket as you go. Simply flatten it along the black diagonal guideline that connect two corners.
Step 14
Mirror the fold on the left side of the same top layer to finish shaping the lower body.
Fold the left edge to align with the center vertical line. Flatten the formed pocket along the diagonal black dotted line.
Your model should now look symmetrical, with a narrow, pointed base ready to become the tail.
Step 15
Flip the model over from left to right, then rotate it 90 degrees counterclockwise. Next, fold the bottom section upward along the horizontal center line.
Step 16
Fold the right flap downward so it points straight down. Crease it sharply, then unfold it.
Step 17
Rotate the model 90° from front to back to view it from the top, open the layers to reveal the interior (pictures 1-2).
Perform an outside reverse fold by mountain folding the creases indicated by the red dash-dot lines (picture 3). This action will naturally push the right section downward.
Finally, close the model by bringing the top and bottom layers together. Rotate the model 90 degrees from front to back so the dragonfly lies flat (pictures 4-6).
Step 18
Rotate the model 90° from right to left to make the point down section face you. Then gently open this section, and press the left and right flaps down and away from the center.
Step 19
Focus on the pointed tip at the front of the body. Begin rolling the tip upward along the horizontal dashed lines, ensuring each fold is uniform and even. On your final fold, make sure the edge goes slightly past the lowest point of the “V” shape formed by the previous creases.
Step 20
Rotate the model so it lies horizontally with the head on the right, and you look directly from the top of the model (picture 1).
Lift the wings and bring them together. Fold the entire head section downward along the existing mountain fold (red dashed lines). Simultaneously, pull the previously rolled section upward along the black dashed line. Gently pinch the head to set the shape (picture 2).
Finally, rotate the model 90° to lay it flat (picture 3).
Friendly Tip: Since the rolled section is very thick, be extremely gentle and avoid squeezing to prevent the paper from tearing.
Step 21
Rotate the model 90° from front to back, open the wings, and carefully cut along their center lines. Fold the wings back together and rotate the model 90° so it lies flat again.
Step 22
Fold both parts of the split wing on this side downward along the black dashed line. Unfold them back up by 90° so they sit perfectly horizontal.
Pro Tip: Leave a slight gap between the wings instead of overlapping them to better mimic a real dragonfly.
Step 23
Flip the model over.
Step 24
Repeat Step 22 on this side to complete the wings.
Step 25
Rotate the dragonfly 90° and look down from the top. Gently open the tip of each of the four wings. Fold the sharp point slightly inward, then close the wingtip back up. Apply this same small adjustment to the remaining three wingtips. The wings will be softer and more realistic.
Step 26
This is your lovely origami dragonfly!
What’s Next
Great job! You have created a beautiful paper dragonfly. We have many more origami insect ideas to share with you below. Let’s build an amazing origami insect garden together. Happy folding!
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