We were having a family meal in a large Chinese restaurant just before the Chinese New Year. The restaurant was decorated with large red and gold paper dragons to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Dragon. My partner's mother asked me if I could fold something similar. So, while we ate I messed about with a bit of paper I had in my pocket, trying out a few ideas and, later at home, I folded the first draft - it looked promising so, over the next few days, I tweaked the design and folding sequence to something I was happy with.

Now I had to fold a good version for her mum. And this was where I hit a snag - paper that is red on one side and proper gold on the other is rare. I couldn't find any apart from some 50mt rolls that only come in packs of 10. Which seemed a trifle excessive. Then fortune smiled down on me. I had purchased a bar of Lidl own brand plain chocolate and on opening it I discovered that the chocolate was wrapped in gold foil with a white paper backing. Unfolded it was nearly A4 in size and I could easily paint the white side red. Which is what I proceeded to do.

Here are the diagrams for you to fold your own Chinese dragon. It's too late for the start of this year of the dragon but, if you wait 12 years, it will come round again.