How to Make an Origami Dragon

Different kinds of paper crafts have always held a special place in the lives of those who are arts and crafts enthusiasts. One such interesting and creative paper craft is origami. It is very intriguing how so many different objects can be created simply out of paper. Making origami dragon is no easy task, especially for beginners. It is something that is learned at an advanced stage of origami. However, with some easy steps mentioned here, you will be able to master how to make an origami dragon with ease.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To make a good origami dragon, the best paper to use is foil-backed paper, since it is a complex model. The paper should necessarily be square. If it is rectangular, fold one of the top edges diagonally till it meets the other top edge, to get a perfect square. Cut off the excess paper with a scissor. Now follow these directions.

Step 1: To make any kind of animal with origami, it is necessary to begin with the bird base. Follow these instructions to crease the paper, in order to make the bird base easy to make:

• Place the origami paper on a flat surface, with the white side facing upward.
• Fold the paper diagonally till two opposite edges meet. Now unfold it.
• Follow the same step with the remaining edges and unfold them.
• Fold the sheet into equal halves vertically and unfold.
• Now fold the sheet horizontally into halves and unfold.

Step 2: It is important that your folds be sharp while doing origami in order to create a good and professional looking model. Make a bird base with the following steps:

• Fold the sheet diagonally, from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. Now fold the sheet further by bringing the bottom right corner to the top left corner of the triangle.
• Now, open up the top flap, and form a square by taking the top right corner toward the top left corner. Flip the sheet and repeat the same step by bringing the top left corner toward the top right corner.
• The square should face in a manner that its right corner can be opened. Fold the tip down towards the center line. Take the top tip and upper right edge at an angle, toward the center line. Repeat the same with the bottom tip. Fold the triangular left corner towards the left, and unfold. Repeat the same steps after flipping the sheet. You now have all the necessary creases on the sheet.
• Take the top right corner towards the top left corner folding along the vertical crease.
• Repeat the same step as above after flipping the sheet, i.e., taking the top left corner toward the top right corner.

Step 3: Ensure that the flap of the bird base is pointing towards the right. Fold the top right edge and bottom right edge towards the center. Fold the flap at the right end, below the one that has just been folded, towards the left while going around the back. Take the bottom right edge to meet the top edge along the horizontal center line. Now fold the top corner down from the back, to meet the bottom corner, along the center.

Step 4: Take the left corner and fold it along the center to meet the right corner. Take the flap below the left side and fold backwards to meet the right corner. Along the center line, fold the right flap upwards. Now repeat the above step with the right side. You can now see the wings of the dragon

Step 5: Fold the bottom edge of the top layer of the front flap toward the top edge. Repeat the same with the bottom, layer folding backwards. Fold the neck towards the front, and then towards the back, to make a crease along the front of the wing. Follow the same for a second crease at an angle, by folding the front and then the back of the neck. Unfold these creases.

Step 6: Now create a mountain and valley fold by pressing the neck downward to fold at each crease. In order to get the neck to point upwards, fold the neck towards the front at an angle, and repeat the same while folding it backwards. Now unfold the crease. Turn the crease inside out and fold at the previous crease by pressing it down.

Step 7: To make the dragon's head, make a crease at the half of the neck. Fold the tip of the neck at a slight angle downwards and fold it back to its previous position. Now unfold this crease. Fold the upper part of the neck inside out along this crease. Make a crease on the folded end. Fold it towards the front, followed by a fold backwards on a sharp downward angle. Fold the tip to meet the neck, to form the mouth of the dragon.

Step 8: Fold the tail of the dragon in a zigzag pattern, by folding first at a point 1/3 down the tail, and the next fold at a point 2/3 down the tail. You may decide the angle to determine the direction of the tail.

Step 9: Slightly curve the sides with your fingers to make the wings of the dragon. You have now successfully learned how to make an origami dragon.

The most important skill required to create an origami dragon is patience. It is only with this skill that you can master the art of making objects with origami.