The dragon head is a decorative head block found on the bow of end ships. Its jaw opens and closes when powered by redstone or worn by a moving player.
Modern namespaced IDs are recommended. This numerical form is only for old Java releases.
/give @p 397 1
Give command syntax by version
Java 1.13+
/give @p minecraft:dragon_head 1
Namespaced ID (current format)
Java 1.8–1.12.2
/give @p 397 1 5
Numerical ID + data value
Rows appear only when the underlying value is verified: the Java 1.8–1.12.2 row requires a reviewed historical numerical ID, and the Bedrock row appears only when this exact namespaced ID exists in the Bedrock registry.
Dragon Head in Minecraft: End Ship Trophy and Redstone Toy
Quick answer: Use minecraft:dragon_head in Java Edition commands. The dragon head mounts on the bow of every End ship in End cities; break it to collect it, wear it as a helmet, display it as a trophy, or power it with redstone to animate the jaw.
Looting End ships
End cities on the outer End islands sometimes generate with an End ship floating nearby, and a dragon head is fixed to its prow. The ship also holds the elytra in an item frame and two loot chests, making it the single richest target in the End.
Bridge or pearl over carefully; the void below is unforgiving. Break the head with any tool or your fist and it drops as an item, then raid the ship interior before heading back to the gateway.
Source: bow of End ships beside End cities.
Same trip yields the elytra and two loot chests.
Wearable as a helmet with no armor value.
Animating the head with redstone
A dragon head powered by redstone opens and closes its jaw continuously, a small but atmospheric effect for castle gates, boss rooms, and adventure maps. Any solid power source works: lever, repeater clock, or observer.
Wearing the head also animates it as you move, and heads are stackable trophies for mob collections, alongside wither skeleton skulls, creeper heads, and the rest of the head set.
Build With Dragon Head
minecraft:dragon_head is in the reviewed block catalog. Open a command tool with this ID already selected, then adjust the coordinates in the tool.
Need a different material? Browse Minecraft Block IDs or compare the related blocks below.
Dragon Head Command Examples
Give 1 to nearest player: /give @p minecraft:dragon_head 1
Give 1 to yourself: /give @s minecraft:dragon_head 1
Give to a specific player: /give PlayerName minecraft:dragon_head 1
Clear from inventory: /clear @p minecraft:dragon_head
Dragon Head FAQ
What is the item ID for Dragon Head?
The item ID for Dragon Head is minecraft:dragon_head. Java Edition commands such as /give, /clear, and /setblock use this namespaced ID.
What is the numerical ID for Dragon Head?
Dragon Head has the historical numerical ID 397 with data value 5, used in Java Edition 1.12.2 and earlier. Current versions use minecraft:dragon_head instead.
How do I give myself Dragon Head in Minecraft?
Open the chat window and run /give @p minecraft:dragon_head 1 to give the nearest player one Dragon Head. Replace @p with a player name to target someone else.
How many Dragon Head can stack in one slot?
Dragon Head stacks up to 64 per inventory slot.
Where do you get a dragon head in Minecraft?
From the bow of End ships, which generate next to some End cities on the outer End islands. Reach the outer islands through the small gateway portals that appear after defeating the Ender Dragon.
What does the dragon head do?
It is a decorative trophy you can wear or place. When powered by redstone, a placed dragon head repeatedly opens and closes its mouth, and wearing it animates the jaw while you walk.
Can you get more than one dragon head?
Yes, unlike the dragon egg. Every End ship generates with one dragon head, and the outer End has effectively unlimited End cities and ships, so you can collect as many as you explore for.
Sources and Data Review
Item facts were reviewed for Java Edition 1.21.11 on .
