Get step-by-step origami dragon instructions and learn how to make an origami dragon. Discover the classic origami dragon by Ladislav Kaňka.
While there are many steps in this guide, we broke everything down into very small, simple pieces so each step is easy to see. Just take it one step at a time, and you will have your own dragon soon.
Also, check out my Easy Origami Dragon. It has the same tiny head but features a legless, flying pose with more detailed wings and a tail. It makes a perfect partner for your dragon!
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: 50 minutes
- Paper: 15×15 cm
- Total steps: 39
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Designer: Ladislav kaňka
Material
Use a 15 cm x 15 cm square of origami paper to create a finished dragon measuring approximately 9 cm x 5.5 cm.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Place the paper with the desired display side face down. Fold and unfold the paper in half both horizontally and vertically to create a cross-shaped crease pattern in the center.
Step 2
Fold and unfold the paper along both diagonals.
Step 3
Now, mountain fold the left and right creases. Then take and push them down to make the center points of the three edges meet the center point of the bottom edges. Flatten the fold to get a triangle.
Step 4
Take the right edge of the top layer to align with the center vertical crease, crease well, and unfold.
Lift the top layer on the right side. Squash it down symmetrically using the creases you just made to form a diamond shape.
Step 5
Flip the paper over from left to right.
Step 6
Repeat Step 4.
Step 7
Fold the bottom corner of the diamond upward so its edges align with the horizontal base, forming a small triangle. Pinch only the middle section to find the center point, then unfold. Fold the bottom corner again to meet the center mark you just created, crease the middle section, and unfold.
Step 8
Fold the top peak down to the second pinch mark you created in the previous step. Rotate the model 90° to make the bottom opening face up, then gently open the central pocket.
Step 9
Take the right corner and fold it over to the left. Align the bottom edge of this newly formed top layer with the bottom edge of the layer underneath. Press down to flatten the fold.
Step 10
Repeat the same process on the left side: fold the left corner to the right, align the bottom edges, then flatten the fold.
Step 11
Now we focus on the right-side top layer, take the mountain crease (red dash-dot-dot line), and fold it upward. Ensure the bottom left corner meets the top peak, then flatten the fold to form a small triangle.
Repeat this on the left side. Fold the mountain crease upward, making the bottom right corner meet the top peak. Flatten the fold, and ensure the two triangular flaps are symmetrical.
Step 12
Rotate the model 90 degrees clockwise so it lies horizontally, then flip it over from front to back to show the smooth side. Finally, fold the bottom half upward along the center horizontal line.
Step 13
Fold only the top triangular layer (that you folded up in the previous step) back down to its original position. Focus on the left section. Fold the left edge down so it aligns with the bottom horizontal edge, leave a crease, then unfold it. Finally, fold the triangle layer back up again as it was before.
Step 14
Focus on the “house” shape in the center (the triangle on top of two rectangles). Slightly lift the left edge of the “house” along with the layer beneath it (picture 1).
As you lift, the left edge of the model will naturally fold back down along the existing crease from the previous step.
From the top view in picture 2, make a mountain fold along the red dash-dot line. Press the lifted layers back down. The left edge should now be folded down, aligning with the bottom edge, and the internal layers are tucked inside cleanly (pictures 3-4).
Step 15
Now, repeat the mirror image of the previous process on the right side of the “house”.
Friendly tip: Unlike the left side, you don’t have a pre-made crease to guide you here. As you fold, take your time to slowly adjust the angle of the mountain fold until the edge aligns with the bottom line.
Step 16
Flip the model over from left to right.
Step 17
Fold the top triangular layer down (picture 1).
Fold the second layer down as well to reveal the interior (picture 2).
Fold the bottom-right edge to the center horizontal crease, then unfold (pictures 3-4).
Fold both layers back up to return to the previous shape (pictures 5-6).
Step 18
Similar to Step 14.
Focus on the right side of the “house” shape. Slightly lift the right edge along with the layer immediately beneath it. As you lift, the right edge of the model will naturally fold back down along the existing crease from the previous step. (pictures 1-2)
Make a mountain fold along the red dash-dot line, tucking the internal paper inside (picture 3).
Press the lifted layers back down. The right edge should now be folded down, aligning with the bottom edge. The tail section on the right side looks thinner and more defined (pictures 4-5).
Step 19
Repeat the mirror image of the previous process on the left side of the “house”.
Just like Step 15, there is no pre-crease here to guide you. So slowly create a mountain fold along the red dash-dot line, carefully adjusting its angle as you press it down until the edge aligns with the bottom line.
Now, the left tail looks thin and sharp as well.
Step 20
Focus on the “house” shape in the center. Pinch its bottom edge and lift the base of the small top triangle, swinging it to the left without flattening it to open a small pocket (picture 1).
While the pocket is expanded, create a mountain fold along the red dash-dot line that connects the two red points (picture 2).
Fold the resulting left flap over to the right side (picture 3).
Repeat the process on the left side: lift the triangle’s base to the right to open a pocket. Make another mountain fold along the red dash-dot line on this side (pictures 4-6).
Step 21
Fold the right-side flap to the left, then flip the model from left to right.
Step 22
Repeat the same process as Step 20 on this side. Open the pockets and make the mountain folds along the red dash-dot lines on both left and right sides.
Press flat; the model should now be symmetrical.
Step 23
Locate the top flap pointing to the left, fold it over to the right side along the center vertical axis. Ensure it aligns with the flap on the right side.
Step 24
Fold the top triangular flap over to the right side along the vertical axis. Take the right edge of that flap, fold it to align with its own left edge (the vertical axis), and press the fold firmly.
Step 25
Fold the large top flap on the right over to the left along the center vertical axis to reveal the flap underneath (picture 1).
Fold the revealed flap over to the left, then back to the right. This creates a vertical crease that acts as the “left edge” of this flap (pictures 2-3).
Next, fold the right edge of the same flap to align with that new left edge (picture 4).
Finally, fold that large flap back to the right side (pictures 5-6).
Step 26
Flip the model from left to right.
Step 27
Fold the top triangular flap on the right side over to the left, then fold the left edge of this flap to align with its right edge.
Step 28
Similar to step 25.
Fold the large top flap on the left over to the right along the center vertical axis to reveal the flap underneath (picture 1).
Fold the revealed flap over to the right, then back to the left. This creates a vertical crease that acts as the “right edge” of this flap (pictures 2-3).
Next, fold the left edge of the same flap to align with that new right edge (picture 4).
Finally, fold that large flap back to the left side (pictures 5-6).
Step 29
Fold the right triangular section (neck area) upward: Angle the fold slightly away from its left edge. Crease sharply, then unfold.
Step 30
Rotate the model 90° to look down at the top of the neck section, and gently open it (pictures 1-2).
Mountain fold along the horizontal crease indicated by the red dash-dot line. While you do this, the neck will automatically pivot upward along the existing creases (picture 3).
Close this section, and rotate the model 90° to lay it flat (pictures 4-6).
Step 31
Fold the front flap of the neck over to the left. Fold the left and right edges of the neck section inward to align with the center vertical line. Finally, fold the flap back over to the right. The neck should now look much thinner.
Step 32
Fold the tip of the neck downward along the black dotted line. Press the crease firmly, then unfold the tip back to its original position.
Step 33
Rotate the model 90° to look down at the top of the neck (picture 1).
Gently open the neck, then mountain fold the creases you made in the previous step, pushing the tip of the neck downward (picture 2).
Next, fold the neck’s tip to the left side along the black dotted line (picture 3).
Close the “head” by bringing its top and bottom edges together (picture 4).
Finally, rotate the model 90° back to the side view to reveal the finished head (picture 5).
Step 34
Focus on the two triangular flaps at the bottom of the model that serve as the legs. On each leg, fold the bottom left edge toward the right side along the black dotted line. Crease well, and unfold.
Step 35
Focus on the right leg, fold the leg flap to the left to reveal the area. Perform an inside reverse fold by pushing the bottom edge upward along the existing creases from the previous step. As you do this, the flap will naturally fall back to the right and tuck the excess paper inside.
Now, this leg looks thinner and sharper.
Step 36
Repeat the same process for the left leg.
Step 37
Rotate the model 180° to face the other side. Repeat the pre-creasing from Step 34 by folding the right edges of both legs to the left side. Press the creases firmly, then unfold them.
Step 38
Continue using the inside reverse fold to shape the legs. Start from the left one.
Fold the leg flap to the right to reveal the area. Perform an inside reverse fold by pushing the bottom edge upward along the existing creases from the previous step. As you do this, the flap will naturally fall back to the right and tuck the excess paper inside.
Step 39
Repeat the same process to finish the last leg.
What’s Next
Done with your dragon? You can find more inspiration below. Explore these different styles and keep folding to build your own dragon collection. Happy folding!
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