How to make an Origami Dragon by ChrysN
This instructable will show you how to fold an origami dragon. This winged dragon is made from only one sheet of paper and is relatively easy to make (compared to some of the other origami dragons out there). This model starts out from a bird base, so if you have ever folded an origami crane, the first few steps will be familiar to you.

I have included a video and origami directions with descriptions of each step. I have also added a PDF of the diagrams.


 
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Step 1: What you need


Materials:

Paper
You can use any paper that you like; origami paper, printer paper, tissue paper etc. I like shiny paper for making dragons, if you don't have any you can use the wrapper from a chocolate bar.

Scissors
If you are not using origami paper or paper that is perfectly square you will need scissors to cut it.

Making a square
To make a square from a rectangular piece of paper, fold the bottom left corner up to meet the top edge and cut off the bit of paper that is left over (see images below).
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Volcora says: May 20, 2013. 8:41 PM
Some thoughts:
Amazing, you are very descriptive in your instructions, so that makes it infinitely easier for many people to make this astounding design.
The pictures where great too, especially with the little diagrams. I have not checked out the video yet, but if I get stuck, that's what I'll refer to.
Great job, keep up the work!
HorseyLove21 says: Feb 20, 2013. 8:09 AM
This is so COOL!!!!!! Took a while to realise S.3 but after that was flying. After trying loads of sites this was definitely THE BEST :-))) what a great dragon

ChrysN (author) says: Feb 20, 2013. 10:16 AM
Thanks!
oburton1 says: Aug 16, 2011. 3:54 PM
ugh, I can't view it because i'm not a pro member! jeez, i just want to download a pdf!
HorseyLove21 says: Feb 20, 2013. 8:10 AM
i could before i set up my account
Chocoholic154 says: Mar 30, 2012. 1:45 PM
Hey awesome finishing design just found it quite difficult to see you doing the head cause ur hands were in the way and it was so tiny but great finishing design
ChrysN (author) says: Mar 30, 2012. 3:51 PM
Thanks, hopefully the diagrams for the head are more helpful.
Polina22 says: Jan 17, 2012. 6:05 PM
I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!
So easy and the finishing product is a beauty.
ChrysN (author) says: Jan 17, 2012. 6:12 PM
Thanks, glad you like it!
zap8005 says: Jul 25, 2011. 11:54 PM
instead of cutting the paper with scissors u can just lick the bottom of the fold & tear it
ChrysN (author) says: Jul 26, 2011. 4:02 PM
That's smart!
zap8005 says: Aug 9, 2011. 11:35 PM
it also makes a neater fold compared to scissors
halfpenguinhalflego says: May 29, 2011. 7:54 AM
After ages of going around websites trying to make an origami dragon I have finally done it thanks to you!
Albeit it is using 6cm by 6cm paper so I had to sacrifice an open mouth on mine, looks amazing though!
abc123haha says: May 8, 2011. 1:20 AM
I loved the instructions and the result! It ended up really good and having the video with the diagrams was useful.
ChrysN (author) says: May 8, 2011. 11:07 AM
Thanks I'm glad you liked it!
moxiepurple says: Apr 19, 2011. 8:49 AM
This was my first attempt at origami, it turned out pretty good I think. I tried to upload a picture three times with my comment, but when I press post comment it takes me to the top of the comments and nothing happens. So, I wish I could show you my picture of your instructable!
ChrysN (author) says: Apr 19, 2011. 3:49 PM
That's awesome, most people start with something simple like a crane.
moxiepurple says: Apr 19, 2011. 4:38 PM
I have no use for a crane, and dragons are much cooler. Thank you for the Instructable!
sweerasooriya says: Mar 22, 2011. 6:35 AM
i love this dragon! It's totally awesome! I have done much harder Origami and easier but this beats all of them! So nice,easy to understand with the pics too! This dragon is kinda familiar.maybe it's my thinking but it looks a lot like Draco from Bakugan!
ChrysN (author) says: Mar 22, 2011. 3:52 PM
Thanks! I'm actually not familiar with Bakugan, Draco looks really cool, (after looking it up on Google.)
Dream Dragon says: Mar 3, 2011. 9:53 AM
Thank you very much for posting this. I used to like Origami when I was a kid, and there was a time when my world was full of cranes and frogs and flowers, all made of folded paper.

This instructable re-awoke the interest for a while and now I have a selection of dragons made out of folded chocolate paper.

:-)
ChrysN (author) says: Mar 3, 2011. 4:22 PM
I'm glad! I was like that as a kid too.
nightsouled says: Jan 31, 2011. 1:13 AM
Awesome instructable for a relatively advanced origami model.

The head variations helped a lot too! I already knew about them, but I could never get the open mouth right. Your instructable was the only place where I learned to do it right.

Oh, you should also try pleating the wings instead of curving them, they look more dragon-like in my opinion. ;)
ChrysN (author) says: Jan 31, 2011. 7:00 PM
Thanks!
beeleigh says: Aug 7, 2009. 9:16 AM
omg i can't believe it worked! i suck at making stuff with paper. i can make fortune tellers, water bombs, and sherikins. that's about it. but this is awesome!
chamster says: Oct 8, 2010. 6:16 PM
Beeleigh, Do you know how to make the donut sheriken that when it's pulled out, it forms a donut, and when you push it in, it forms a shreiken?
miimaster2 says: Jul 12, 2010. 1:40 PM
It's Shurikens not sherikins...and this is AWESOME! I used a huge sheet and it was awesome!
FrozenIce says: May 23, 2010. 9:15 AM
 i tried it  and it flew !!!

chamster says: Oct 8, 2010. 5:51 PM
It flooped to the ground for me. I didn't make it very well. The most complex thing i have ever made is a crane and a chicken.
ChrysN (author) says: May 23, 2010. 12:45 PM
It flew? I never tried throwing it.
caityjay says: Aug 5, 2010. 6:45 PM
I cannot for the life of me figure out what's going on in Step 21. This is an AMAZING tutorial, so I can't help but feel I'm messing up somewhere.... I'm stumped when I try to pull the neck down, because there are 5 edges inside the neck, and the center one is attached to the body (if I pulled down on the neck, it would rip). Any idea what's going on there? I can make cranes in my sleep, so I think perhaps I've unconsciously taken the crane steps one too far somewhere...? Not sure. Anyway, this is a fantastic 'ible, thanks so much!
ChrysN (author) says: Aug 5, 2010. 9:55 PM

If you look at the diagram at crease #1 you do a mountain fold and at crease#2 do a valley fold. It is actually called an outside crimp fold if you check out this page.

I hope that helps, did you check out the video.
caityjay says: Aug 5, 2010. 10:21 PM
OH, okay, yes, I see now! I was just trying to make it far more complicated than it actually is. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out! Again, this is a GREAT instructable!
ChrysN (author) says: Aug 6, 2010. 4:38 PM
Thanks, glad I can help.
100%dragon says: Aug 2, 2010. 6:09 PM
Excuse me, but I couldn't find the video for this! I looked on the frist page, unless you mean the page where all the steps are. But I'm only a free member so I can't go that page. Where on the page is it? I'm new to this site. ( In fact, this is my first day!)
ChrysN (author) says: Aug 2, 2010. 6:49 PM
It's the mpg file on the Intro page, I think you should be able to see it if you are logged in.
xGoldenHeartsx says: Jul 17, 2010. 6:52 PM
Very nice and easy to follow once you can see the diagrams. Dragons are definitely my favorite thing to make :D
ChrysN (author) says: Jul 17, 2010. 10:13 PM
Thanks!
jeancarlos_1313 says: Apr 25, 2010. 10:26 AM
i dont get it  i am not  a member but i am  interested in origami stuff
ChrysN (author) says: Apr 25, 2010. 10:34 AM
What part are you having trouble with?
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