How to Fold an Origami Wolf

Let’s explore the stunning origami wolf designed by renowned Korean origami artist Lee Won-pyo (네모아저씨). 

Standing proudly on all four legs, this detailed wolf features a distinctive snout, alert tilted head, and sleek body complete with an elegant tail. The finished model practically embodies the spirit of a wolf ready to howl at the moon.

Perfect for:

• Desk decoration and display pieces
• Thoughtful gifts for nature enthusiasts
• Wildlife-themed parties and events
• Shadow box arrangements and forest dioramas

The detailed step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos will guide you through each fold. Trust me, the incredible satisfaction of completing this magnificent creature makes every challenging moment absolutely worthwhile!

This origami wolf uses petal folds, and lots of Mountain And Valley Folds, as well as some Inside Reverse folds to form its legs.

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: 40 minutes
• Paper: 15×15 cm
• Total steps: 44
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Designer: Lee Won-pyo (창작 : 네모아저씨)

Material

Prepare a piece of 15×15 cm origami square paper to create a 6.6×6.32 cm origami wolf. Experiment with different colors to create a unique product.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Place the paper with the desired display color side down to begin folding, fold and unfold it in half horizontally, then vertically.

Step 2

Fold and unfold it in half diagonally from both directions.

Step 3

Fold the top and bottom edges to align with the center horizontal crease.

Step 4

Fold the top and bottom corners along the creases indicated by the dotted lines, crease them well, and unfold them.

Step 5

Fold the bottom right corner along the black dotted line, making the edge indicated by the red line align with the crease you made in the previous step indicated by the grey line, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 6

Firstly, unfold the bottom rectangle, then, fold the bottom right corner upward along the crease you made in the previous step indicated by the dotted line [pictures 1 and 2].

Next, fold the left edge of this folded layer downward along the crease indicated by the dotted line, and finally, fold the bottom edge upward along the existing crease indicated by the dotted line [pictures 3-5]

Step 7

Fold the bottom right edge of the top layer along the dotted line to create a triangle.

Here, we can see four creases intersecting on this triangle, then, mountain fold the one indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the remaining three.

Based on these creases, fold down the top left edge of this triangle along the two valley creases indicated by the dotted lines, as you can see in the third picture.

Step 8

Fold up this small triangle along its top edge indicated by the black dotted line, crease it well, and unfold it.

Step 9

Take the right corner of the bottom layer, and fold it toward the bottom left along the black dotted line to create a small triangle.

Here, we can see four creases intersecting on this triangle, then, mountain fold the one indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the remaining three.

Based on these creases, fold the bottom corner of this triangle to meet its top right corner, and flatten the fold.

Step 10

Similar to step 5, fold down the top right corner along the black dotted line, making the crease on the folded flap align with the center horizontal crease of this paper, as you can see in the second picture. Crease it well, and unfold it.

Step 11

Similar to step 6.

Firstly, expand the top rectangle, then, fold the top right corner downward along the crease you made in the previous step, indicated by the dotted line [pictures 1 and 2].

Next, fold the bottom left edge of this folded layer upward along the crease indicated by the dotted line, and finally, fold the top edge upward along the existing crease indicated by the dotted line [pictures 3-5]

Step 12

Similar to step 7.

Fold the top right edge of the top layer along the dotted line to create a triangle.

Here, we can see four creases intersecting on this triangle, then, mountain fold the one indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the remaining three.

Based on these creases, fold up the bottom left edge of this triangle along the two valley creases indicated by the dotted lines, as you can see in the 3rd and 4th pictures.

Step 13

Fold down this small triangle along its bottom edge indicated by the black dotted line, crease it well, and unfold it.

Step 14

Similar to step 9.

Take the right corner of the top layer, and fold it toward the top left along the black dotted line to create a small triangle.

Here, we can see four creases intersecting on this triangle, then, mountain fold the one indicated by the red dotted line, and valley fold the remaining three.

Based on these creases, fold the top corner of this triangle to meet its bottom right corner, and flatten the fold.

Step 15

Fold the right corners to the left side along the black dotted line connecting the two red spots, and unfold it.

Step 16

Fold the bottom edge to align with the crease you made in the previous step, leave a crease, and unfold it. Repeat this for the top edge.

Step 17

Slightly bring up the top and bottom layers, and fold the top and bottom left corners along the creases indicated by the dotted lines, then bring down these two layers.

Step 18

Take the vertical crease indicated by the black line, fold it toward the bottom left, ensure it aligns with the crease indicated by the red line, leave a crease, and unfold it [pictures 1-2].

Still this vertical crease, fold it toward the top left side, making it align with the crease indicated by the red line, and unfold it [pictures 3-4].

Step 19

Fold up the bottom horizontal crease to align with the crease indicated by the grey line, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Fold down the top horizontal crease to align with the crease indicated by the grey line, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 20

Fold the top edge to align with the left edge, create a partial crease from the top corner to the intersection point formed by creases, indicated by the red spot, then unfold it [pictures 1-2].

Fold the bottom edge to align with the left edge, create a partial crease from the bottom corner to the intersection point formed by creases, indicated by the red spot, then unfold it [pictures 3-4].

Step 21

Fold the bottom left corner along the dotted line connecting the two red spots: one at the midpoint of the left edge and the other at the intersection point formed by the creases you made in the last two steps. Create a partial crease between these two red spots. [picture 1-2].

Repeat this for the top left corner. Fold it along the dotted line connecting the two red spots. Create a partial crease between these two red spots [picture 3-4].

Step 22

Fold the bottom and left edges along the dotted lines, then a small flap will be formed. Press down and flatten this flap to the right side [pictures 1-2].

Repeat this for the top side.

Step 23

Fold the two corners on the right side of the top layer to the left side along the vertical dotted lines, then fold them to the sides separately along the slanted dotted lines.

Step 24

Fold the left corner to meet the right corner, then fold it back along the crease indicated by the dotted line to complete a pleat fold.

Step 25

Valley fold the two creases represented by the black dotted lines to gently lift the entire left section [picture 1].

Mountain fold the two creases indicated by the red dotted lines [picture 2].

For the center horizontal crease, mountain fold the sections indicated by the dotted lines and valley fold the section indicated by the black dotted line; this way, you can flatten the paper by pinching the top and bottom sides toward the center [pictures 3-4].

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from back to front to lay it flat, we can see a rough shape of a wolf.

Step 26

Fold the bottom left corner of the left foreleg along the dotted line, and unfold it.

Step 27

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from left to right, and gently expand the corner you folded in the previous step, then valley fold its center crease indicated by black dotted line, and mountain fold the crease on each side you just made.

Close this pocket, rotate the paper back.

Step 28

Fold this tiny flap to the left side, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 29

Fold this left foreleg upward along the dotted line, then valley fold the creases you made in the previous step, indicated by black dotted lines, and mountain fold the center short crease indicated by the red dotted line. Place down the leg to its original location and flatten the fold.

Step 30

Flip the paper from left to right. Fold the bottom left corner of the right foreleg along the dotted line, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 31

Similar to step 27.

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from right to left, and gently expand the corner you folded in the previous step, then valley fold its center crease indicated by black dotted line, and mountain fold the crease on each side you just made.

Close this pocket, rotate the paper back.

Step 32

Fold this tiny flap to the right side, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 33

Similar to step 29.

Fold this right foreleg upward along the dotted line, then valley fold the creases you made in the previous step, indicated by black dotted lines, and mountain fold the center short crease indicated by the red dotted line. Place down the leg to its original location and flatten the fold.

Step 34

Fold down the tail, leave a crease, and unfold it.

Step 35

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from front to back, expand the tail part, mountain fold the creases you made indicated by the red dotted lines, and valley fold the center horizontal crease. Flatten the tail and rotate the paper back; in this way, the tail hangs down.

Step 36

Fold down the top layer of the tail, and fold down the bottom layer of the tail backward.

Step 37

Fold up the bottom corner of the ear along the black dotted line, then fold it back to the bottom side for a short section to form a zigzag shape.

Turn over the paper from left to right, and repeat this for the ear on this side.

Step 38

Rotate the paper 90 degrees from front to back, press down the tip to open the head part, and mountain fold the creases indicated by the red dotted lines [pictures 1-2].

Make two valley creases shown by the black dotted lines, and mountain fold the center horizontal crease indicated by the red dotted line [picture 3].

Slightly bring up the left corner and fold it to the right side a little, then close this head part, and rotate the paper back [pictures 4-6].

Step 39

Sculpt the neck and chin to create a smoother line.

Fold the two edges inward a little.

Step 40

We can see, there is a small corner between the two ears, fold it down and tuck it under the ear layer, then flip the paper from left to right.

Step 41

Now, we will shape its belly, fold the two edges of the belly inward a little.

Step 42

Make a mountain crease indicated by red dotted line on the right foreleg, then a valley crease to form a zigzag.

Flip the paper from left to right and repeat this for the left foreleg.

Step 43

Bring up the left hind leg, fold up the bottom corner of the right hind leg along the black dotted line, then fold it to the left side to complete a pleat fold, then bring down the left hind leg.

Step 44

Turn over the paper from left to right, similar to the previous step you shape the right hind leg.

Bring up the right hind leg, fold up the bottom corner of the left hind leg along the black dotted line, then fold it to the right side to complete a pleat fold, then bring down the right hind leg.

What’s Next

Hope you’ve enjoyed creating this paper wolf. Display your finished wolf proudly – it’s a testament to your patience and attention to detail. Happy folding, and may your paper pack continue to grow!

Make an origami tiger and an origami lion to accompany your wolf, as all of them are kings of nature.

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