How to Fold an Origami Dragon 🐉 Step-by-Step Instructions

Dragons have always been one of my favorite subjects in art. They have been part of stories, drawings, and legends for centuries, especially in China and Japan.

Yet, when you think about it, there is no traditional origami dragon model. Luckily, today there are plenty of incredible designs out there. The only thing is, most of them are quite hard to fold.

So we teamed up with Sébastien Limet, a wonderful French origami artist, and asked him if he could create an origami dragon that would be beautiful, easy to fold, and could even evolve over time.

Today, I am happy to share with you the very first version of this cute little dragon. There are quite a few steps, but they are all accessible if you have a little folding experience.

Origami Dragon Step-by-Step Instructions

Difficulty: Easy – Beginner Level 5
Folding time: 10 minutes
Model designer: Sébastien Limet (@mister_paperfold)
Recommended paper: Kami 15×15 cm (6×6 in)

Download Instructions 📩

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Step 1

Start with the white side of the paper facing up in a diamond position. Fold and unfold both diagonals. Then, turn the paper over.

Step 2

Fold the top corner down to meet the center point. Lightly pinch at the intersection of the centerline, then unfold.

Step 3

Make a pleat by folding the horizontal diagonal to meet the pinch mark from Step 2.

🐉 Folding Tip: Lightly crease through all layers first, then crease well under the top layer. This prevents unwanted marks on the top layer.

Step 4

Turn the model over.

Step 5

Fold the top left edge to the centerline, then unfold.

Step 6

Fold along the crease from Step 5, bringing the top section downward. Stop when you reach the pinch mark from Step 2, and firmly crease just the middle layer down to the horizontal line.

Step 7

Unfold Step 6.

Step 8

Repeat Steps 5 to 7 on the right side.

Step 9

Fold the bottom left edge to the centerline. Crease only from the center horizontal line to the bottom corner, then unfold. Repeat on the right side.

Step 10

Align the bottom left edge with the top left edge. Crease from the intersection of the folds made in Steps 5 and 9 to the left corner, then unfold. Repeat on the right side.

Step 11

Collapse the left side inward along the creases from Steps 5, 9, and 10.

Step 12

Repeat Step 11 on the left side. This forms the dragon’s wings.

🐉 Note: The wings might not lie flat against the body. That’s okay! Don’t try to force them down.

Step 13

Turn the model over.

Step 14

Fold the top corner down to meet the nearest horizontal crease.

Step 15

Fold the flap created in Step 14 in half.

Step 16

Turn the model over.

Step 17

Collapse the top section of the model using the creases from Steps 6 and 8 as guides, leaving the flap raised.

Step 18

Fold the right side of the model backward along the central crease.

Step 19

Rotate the model 90° counterclockwise.

Step 20

Slightly open the lower layers and reverse fold the flap under the neck along the dotted lines.

🐉 Folding Tip: Push the flap down with your index finger until it aligns with the wing edges. Then, flatten by closing the wing flaps.

Step 21

Push the flap from Step 20 upward and fold along the dotted lines so its outer edge aligns with the top edges.

Step 22

Fold the wing from right to left. Repeat on the back side.

Step 23

Fold the dragon’s tail down along the dotted line, creasing from where the wings and tail intersect to the bottom edge at a 90° angle. Crease well and unfold.

Step 24

Open the tail’s layers at the bottom. Using the creases made in Step 23, Crimp fold the tail over the wing on both sides. The two reference points should meet. Then, rotate 25° counterclockwise.

Step 25

Fold the wing from left to right. Repeat on the back side.

Step 26

Fold and unfold the wing down along the dotted line.

Step 27

Fold and unfold the top edge of the wing to meet the crease from Step 26.

Step 28

Fold and unfold the top edge of the wing to meet the crease from Step 27.

Step 29

Repeat Steps 26 to 28 on the other wing.

Step 30

Pull the dragon’s head up and fold along the dotted line.

Step 31

Pull the snout horn up and fold along the dotted line.

Step 32

Fold the right corner of the tail to the point where the tail and wing intersect at the bottom edge. Slightly unfold so the tail points forward.

🎉 Your origami dragon is ready to fly! 🐉

Well done on folding your paper dragon! I hope you had as much fun with it as I did.

Sébastien is already working on a more advanced version, and we’ll also be posting a full video tutorial on our YouTube channel soon.

If you don’t want to miss them, make sure to join our newsletter and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

And if you want to share your origami dragon with us, we’d love to see it! You can tag us and Mister Paperfold, on social media, or drop a comment below.

Download the Full Origami Dragon Printable PDF Instructions

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