How to Fold an Origami Lion

Step 1

Start with the colored side of the paper facing up. Fold the paper in half vertically, then unfold.

Step 2

Turn the paper over.

Step 3

Fold the left and right edges to the centerline.

Step 4

Fold all four corners in so the top and bottom edges align with the vertical centerline.

Step 5

Fold the two top triangles in half.

Step 6

Unfold Steps 4 and 5.

Step 7

Inside reverse fold along the creases from Step 4.

Step 8

Reverse fold the hidden edges along the creases from Step 5.

Step 9

Fold the two top flaps out to the sides.

Step 10

Fold the two bottom corners up.

Step 11

Turn the paper over.

Step 12

Fold the bottom left and right edges in to the centerline.

Step 13

Turn the paper over again.

Step 14

Fold the corners of the top flaps outward.

Step 15

Fold the top corner down to meet the bottom corner.

Step 16

Fold the bottom tip upwards. There’s no exact reference point here.

🦁 Note: I folded it too much in the video. I’ll adjust this during Step 23.

Step 17

We’re about to collapse the model in half in Step 18. For now, valley fold between the circled points and start a rabbit-ear fold.

Step 18

Fold the model in half. Flatten it so the near corner goes left and the far layers shift right.

Step 19

Fold the edge to the nearest crease line, then unfold.

Step 20

Inside reverse fold along the creases you just made.

Step 21

Fold the top flap to the left. Repeat on the other side.

Step 22

Rotate the model a 1⁄4 turn clockwise.

Step 23

Mountain fold the top corner inward. There’s no exact reference. Repeat on the other side.

🦁 Note: This is where I’m fixing the lion’s snort. It was too short earlier.

Step 24

Mountain fold the top left corner inward. No exact reference again. Repeat on the other side.

Step 25

Pull out the hidden edge to form the front leg. Repeat on the other side.

🦁 Folding tip: A pen tip or bone folder helps here.

Step 26

Make a new mountain fold between the circled points. Then, use a valley fold along the existing crease to swivel fold the layer underneath. Repeat on the other side.

Step 27

Mountain fold the corner to make a foot on the hind leg. Repeat on the other side.

Step 28

Squash fold the tail down. Align the tail’s centerline with the lion’s rear line.

Step 29

Petal fold the tail upward.

🦁 Folding tip: This is the trickiest step as pre-creasing won’t help much. Try breaking it into two motions:

1. Press your thumb on the top of the tail and lift it. The edges will move toward the centerline.
2. Flatten the left and right edges inward. The goal is to slim down the tail.

Step 30

Fold the tail in half, right to left.

Step 31

Curl the tail however you like.

Rawr! Your Origami Lion Is Complete