How to make an Origami Dragon

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.

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).

Comments

[Chocoholic154]

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]

Thanks, hopefully the diagrams for the head are more helpful.

[Polina22]

I LOVE IT, I LOVE IT I LOVE IT!!!
So easy and the finishing product is a beauty.

[ChrysN]

Thanks, glad you like it!

[oburton1]

ugh, I can't view it because i'm not a pro member! jeez, i just want to download a pdf!

[zap8005]

instead of cutting the paper with scissors u can just lick the bottom of the fold & tear it

[ChrysN]

That's smart!

[zap8005]

it also makes a neater fold compared to scissors

[halfpenguinhalflego]

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]

I loved the instructions and the result! It ended up really good and having the video with the diagrams was useful.

[ChrysN]

Thanks I'm glad you liked it!

[moxiepurple]

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]

That's awesome, most people start with something simple like a crane.

[moxiepurple]

I have no use for a crane, and dragons are much cooler. Thank you for the Instructable!

[sweerasooriya]

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]

Thanks! I'm actually not familiar with Bakugan, Draco looks really cool, (after looking it up on Google.)

[Dream Dragon]

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]

I'm glad! I was like that as a kid too.

[nightsouled]

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]

Thanks!

[beeleigh]

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]

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]

It's Shurikens not sherikins...and this is AWESOME! I used a huge sheet and it was awesome!

[FrozenIce]

 i tried it  and it flew !!!

[chamster]

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]

It flew? I never tried throwing it.

[caityjay]

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]

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]

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]

Thanks, glad I can help.

[100%dragon]

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]

It's the mpg file on the Intro page, I think you should be able to see it if you are logged in.

[xGoldenHeartsx]

Very nice and easy to follow once you can see the diagrams. Dragons are definitely my favorite thing to make :D

[ChrysN]

Thanks!

[jeancarlos_1313]

i dont get it  i am not  a member but i am  interested in origami stuff

[ChrysN]

What part are you having trouble with?

[MAANNIK]

thank you boy!its loooks to cool.lol and it is a good show piece also!

[madelinerelo]

only girls say lol it also means lots of love and laugh out loud did you no?

[corndawg49]

 how to call him a boy if you are but a boy yourself...

[madelinerelo]

I read your instructions looked at your viedo and tryed it but i could not get it right then at last it worked i finlly got  the body part! :] :[ :} :{ ;] ;[ ;} ;{