Origami is a fun and easy art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination and spatial reasoning skills. Origami is also a great way to relax and de-stress. And best of all, you only need a piece of paper to get started.
If you’re looking for a fun and challenging origami project, why not try making a dragon? Dragons are mythical creatures that are often associated with strength, power, and wisdom. They are also very popular in popular culture, appearing in movies, TV shows, and video games. With a little bit of practice, you can create your very own origami dragon that you can display in your home or give as a gift.
Ready to get started? Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make a dragon out of origami:
How to Make a Dragon Out of Origami
Follow these 8 simple steps to create your own origami dragon:
- Start with a square piece of paper.
- Fold in half diagonally both ways.
- Unfold and fold in half both ways.
- Unfold and fold in half diagonally.
- Unfold and squash fold.
- Fold in half and unfold.
- Fold the top and bottom corners inward.
- Fold the left and right corners inward.
Your origami dragon is now complete! You can unfold the wings and tail to make it look more dynamic.
Start with a square piece of paper.
The first step to making an origami dragon is to start with a square piece of paper. This is important because origami dragons are typically folded from a single square sheet of paper, without any cuts or glue. You can use any color or type of paper you like, but a thin, lightweight paper will be easier to fold.
- Choose the right size paper.
The size of the paper will determine the size of your finished dragon. A 15 cm x 15 cm (6 in x 6 in) square is a good size for a small dragon, while a 30 cm x 30 cm (12 in x 12 in) square will make a larger dragon.
- Cut the paper into a square.
If you don’t have a square piece of paper, you can easily cut a rectangle into a square. Simply fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and then cut along the fold. Unfold the paper and you will have a perfect square.
- Fold the paper in half diagonally both ways.
This will create two crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper. These crease lines will be used to guide your subsequent folds.
- Unfold the paper and fold in half both ways.
This will create two more crease lines that intersect in the center of the paper. These crease lines will also be used to guide your subsequent folds.
Now that you have folded the paper in half both ways, you are ready to start folding your origami dragon!
Fold in half diagonally both ways.
Once you have a square piece of paper, the next step is to fold it in half diagonally both ways. This will create two important creases that will be used to guide your subsequent folds.
- Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.To do this, simply align the top and bottom edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper.Once you have creased the fold, you can carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a single, sharp, vertical fold line in the center of the paper.
- Fold the paper in half from left to right.Now, align the left and right edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper again.Once you have creased the fold, you can carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a single, sharp, horizontal fold line in the center of the paper.
These two fold lines intersect in the center of the paper, creating a perfect square. These fold lines will be used in many of the subsequent folds, so it is important to make them sharp and precise.
Unfold and fold in half both ways.
After you have folded the paper in half diagonally both ways, the next step is to unfold the paper and then fold it in half both ways. This will create two more important creases that will be used to guide your subsequent folds.
- Unfold the paper completely.
After you have made the two diagonal folds, carefully unfold the paper completely. You should now have a flat square piece of paper again.
- Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.
Align the top and bottom edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper.
Once you have creased the fold, carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a single, sharp, vertical fold line in the center of the paper.
- Fold the paper in half from left to right.
Align the left and right edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
Once again, unfold the paper completely. You should now have four sharp crease lines on your paper, dividing it into four equal quadrants. These crease lines will be used in many of the subsequent folds, so it is important to make them sharp and precise.
Unfold and fold in half diagonally.
After you have folded the paper in half both ways, the next step is to unfold the paper and then fold it in half diagonally. This will create two more important creases that will be used to guide your subsequent folds.
Unfold the paper completely.
After you have made the two horizontal and vertical folds, carefully unfold the paper completely. You should now have a flat square piece of paper again.
Fold the paper in half diagonally from top left to bottom right.
To do this, align the top left and bottom right corners of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
Unfold the paper.
Once you have creased the fold, carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a single, sharp, diagonal fold line running from the top left corner to the bottom right corner of the paper.
Fold the paper in half diagonally from top right to bottom left.
This time, align the top right and bottom left corners of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
Unfold the paper again.
Once you have creased the fold, carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a second sharp, diagonal fold line running from the top right corner to the bottom left corner of the paper.
These two diagonal folds intersect in the center of the paper, creating a perfect square. These fold lines will be used in many of the subsequent folds, so it is important to make them sharp and precise.
Unfold and squash fold.
After you have folded the paper in half diagonally both ways, the next step is to unfold the paper and then perform a squash fold. This is a unique origami fold that is used to create the dragon’s head and tail.
- Unfold the paper completely.
After you have made the two diagonal folds, carefully unfold the paper completely. You should now have a flat square piece of paper again.
- Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.
Align the top and bottom edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Unfold the paper.
Once you have creased the fold, carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a single, sharp, vertical fold line in the center of the paper.
- Pinch the center of the paper and squash fold.
To do this, place your fingers on the center of the paper, one hand on the top and one hand on the bottom. Then, push your fingers together, squashing the paper flat. You should see two triangular flaps forming on either side of the center fold.
Once you have made the squash fold, you can unfold the paper and proceed to the next step.
Fold in half and unfold.
After you have made the squash fold, the next step is to fold the paper in half and then unfold it. This will create a new crease line that will be used to shape the dragon’s head and tail.
Fold the paper in half from left to right.
To do this, align the left and right edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
Unfold the paper.
Once you have creased the fold, carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a single, sharp, horizontal fold line in the center of the paper.
Fold the paper in half from top to bottom.
This time, align the top and bottom edges of the paper and fold them together. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
Unfold the paper again.
Once you have creased the fold, carefully open the paper back up. You should now see a second sharp, vertical fold line in the center of the paper.
These two new fold lines intersect in the center of the paper, creating a perfect square. These fold lines will be used in the next step to shape the dragon’s head and tail.
Fold the top and bottom corners inward.
After you have folded the paper in half and unfolded it, the next step is to fold the top and bottom corners inward. This will create the dragon’s head and tail.
- Fold the top left corner inward.
To do this, align the top left corner of the paper with the center vertical fold line. Then, fold the corner down towards the bottom of the paper. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Fold the top right corner inward.
Do the same thing with the top right corner, aligning it with the center vertical fold line and folding it down towards the bottom of the paper. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Fold the bottom left corner inward.
Now, align the bottom left corner of the paper with the center vertical fold line and fold it up towards the top of the paper. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Fold the bottom right corner inward.
Finally, fold the bottom right corner inward, aligning it with the center vertical fold line and folding it up towards the top of the paper. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
You should now have a square piece of paper with four triangular flaps folded inward. These flaps will be used to create the dragon’s head and tail in the next step.
Fold the left and right corners inward.
After you have folded the top and bottom corners inward, the next step is to fold the left and right corners inward. This will create the dragon’s wings.
- Fold the left corner inward.
To do this, align the left edge of the paper with the center vertical fold line. Then, fold the corner towards the right side of the paper. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Fold the right corner inward.
Do the same thing with the right corner, aligning it with the center vertical fold line and folding it towards the left side of the paper. Crease the fold well with your fingers.
- Unfold the left and right corners.
Now, unfold the left and right corners so that they are pointing outward again.
- Fold the left and right corners inward again, but this time, fold them inside the dragon’s body.
To do this, align the left and right edges of the paper with the center vertical fold line and fold them towards the center of the dragon’s body. Crease the folds well with your fingers.
You should now have a diamond-shaped piece of paper with two triangular flaps folded inward on the left and right sides. These flaps will be used to create the dragon’s wings in the next step.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about origami:
Question 1: What is origami?
Answer 1: Origami is the art of folding paper into different shapes and forms. It is a fun and challenging hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Question 2: What kind of paper is best for origami?
Answer 2: Thin, lightweight paper is best for origami. Some popular types of paper used for origami include origami paper, rice paper, and mulberry paper.
Question 3: Where can I learn how to do origami?
Answer 3: There are many resources available to learn how to do origami. You can find books, DVDs, and online tutorials that teach you how to fold different origami models.
Question 4: What are some easy origami projects for beginners?
Answer 4: Some easy origami projects for beginners include the paper airplane, the jumping frog, and the cootie catcher.
Question 5: What are some challenging origami projects for experienced folders?
Answer 5: Some challenging origami projects for experienced folders include the dragon, the rose, and the samurai helmet.
Question 6: How can I display my origami creations?
Answer 6: You can display your origami creations in a variety of ways. You can hang them from strings, place them on shelves or tables, or even frame them.
Question 7: Where can I find origami supplies?
Answer 7: You can find origami supplies at craft stores, online retailers, and some bookstores.
Question 8: Are there any origami conventions or events?
Answer 8: Yes, there are many origami conventions and events held around the world. These events provide an opportunity for origami enthusiasts to meet, learn new folding techniques, and share their creations.
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can create beautiful and intricate origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you know more about origami, you can start folding your own creations. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
Tips
Here are a few practical tips to help you get started with origami:
Tip 1: Start with simple folds.
When you’re first starting out, it’s best to start with simple folds. This will help you get a feel for the basic techniques and build your confidence. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can move on to more complex folds.
Tip 2: Be patient.
Origami can be a challenging hobby, but it’s important to be patient. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Just keep practicing and you’ll eventually be able to fold more complex models.
Tip 3: Use good quality paper.
The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the quality of your origami models. Thin, lightweight paper is best for origami because it is easier to fold and holds creases well. Some popular types of paper used for origami include origami paper, rice paper, and mulberry paper.
Tip 4: Find a good origami book or tutorial.
There are many resources available to learn how to do origami. You can find books, DVDs, and online tutorials that teach you how to fold different origami models. If you’re a beginner, it’s a good idea to start with a book or tutorial that teaches the basics of origami.
With a little practice and patience, you can create beautiful and intricate origami models that will impress your friends and family. Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Now that you have some tips to get you started, you can start folding your own origami creations. Origami is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it’s also a fun way to challenge your mind.
Conclusion
Origami is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to relax and de-stress, and it’s also a fun way to challenge your mind.
In this article, we have learned the basics of origami, including how to fold a square piece of paper in half diagonally both ways, how to unfold and fold in half both ways, how to unfold and squash fold, and how to fold the top and bottom corners inward.
We have also learned some tips for getting started with origami, such as starting with simple folds, being patient, using good quality paper, and finding a good origami book or tutorial.
With a little practice, you can create beautiful and intricate origami models that will impress your friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Start folding today!
Origami is a reminder that even the simplest things can be beautiful and complex. It is also a reminder that with a little patience and practice, anything is possible.
