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How to Fold a Simple Dragon Head

Jul 7, 2012 11:58 PM

Jul 8, 2012 06:05 PM

Hand holding a folded piece of white paper.

During my early elementary school years, origami was my go-to pastime. When it came to learning about it in art class, I ventured out well past the basics that were being taught.

A friend of mine during that time had seen a folded dragon head and wanted to emulate it; so we went to work constructing what you see below.

Origami paper model resembling a geometric shape.

Forming a Square (If Required)

If you are using A4 (or other rectangular-shaped paper), you must first form a square. This is easily achieved by aligning the short edge of the page with an adjacent long edge. Form the diagonal crease and cut off the area outside the folded triangle.

Let's begin...

Center Creases

Make center creases on your page vertically, horizontally, and in both diagonal directions.

Folded paper with four triangular sections.

Bird Base, Part I

Using the horizontal creases as guides, pull all four corners together. See the photos below for further detail.

A person holding a folded piece of white paper.

Paper folded into a triangular shape on a wooden surface.

Geometric paper model resembling a pyramid.

Bird Base, Part II

Fold the open edges so they align with the center crease. Do this with both of the lower edge of the diamond.

Paper craft model in the shape of a pyramid.

Using the newly formed straight line near the top of the diamond, fold down the top small triangle.

Unfold the last three folds.

Grasp the top single layer, using the most recent folds as guides to form a long slender diamond.

A hand folding a piece of paper into a triangular shape.

Hand holding a folded white paper in a diamond shape.

The Other Side

Flip your work over, grasp the single top layer and fold up to match the top corner.

Hand folding a piece of paper into a triangular shape.

Fold Corners

For both sides of the work, take the left corner and fold it to line up with the right, revealing a fresh perspective.

Fold Top Layer Up

With your work aligned the same as the photo above, fold the top layer up to match the point directly above the horizontal crease. Repeat on opposite side.

Hand holding a partially folded origami paper crane.

Folding Top Layer Up Again

Rotating the work 90 degrees, again take the top layer and fold up, keeping the edges aligned.

Hand holding a partially folded paper airplane.

Tuck the point inside the pocket.

Hand folding a white paper into an airplane shape.

Repeat on opposite side.

Accordion Fold

Accordion fold the long "spike".

Paper folding technique being demonstrated with a hand.

Make It 3D!

Give your project some 3D depth by inserting you finger into the opening at the back and flattening out the chin causing the mouth to open slightly.

Paper origami figure in the shape of a letter A held between fingers.

Enjoy your freshly folded dragon head!

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