Each January, LEGO continues its tradition of celebrating the Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, with the release of beautifully themed sets. These sets not only highlight the essence of the holiday but also showcase the artistry and cultural richness that define LEGO creations.
Good Fortune Set
This set lives up to its name, packed with symbols of prosperity and luck. It includes a vibrant fan adorned with magpies, a vase with fortune fruit, persimmon fruit, golden ingots, a calligraphy brush, and a scroll. The build begins with a 16×16 base plate, elegantly decorated with shades of blue and golden lattice patterns.
Highlights of the set include:
- Scroll and Brush: The scroll, bearing the Chinese character for “spring,” has intricate gold detailing. The calligraphy brush is a thoughtful touch, complete with a black inked tip.
- Persimmon and Golden Ingots: These symbolize good fortune, longevity, and prosperity, recreated beautifully with LEGO pieces.
- Vase: Designed to resemble Chinese blue and white porcelain, it includes printed tiles and fortune fruit branches with banners bearing auspicious phrases.
- Fan: Offered in two designs, with magpies symbolizing happiness and fortune, accompanied by cherry blossoms for added elegance.
The set is priced at $90, €80, or £70, with 1,021 pieces. While primarily a display set, the intricate details and cultural references make it a stunning addition to any collection.
Trotting Lantern Set
This set is inspired by the iconic Lunar New Year lanterns and features a functional light mechanism that projects scenes of Chinese mythology. It also includes the LEGO Lunar New Year family and introduces a brand-new snake headpiece, commemorating the upcoming Year of the Snake.
Key elements include:
- Minifigures: A delightful family set with vibrant, themed outfits, and accessories like a tray holding LEGO dumplings.
- Hidden Side Builds: Three stands, including a dumpling stand with detailed stickers, a space-themed stand with a classic LEGO Spaceman motif, and a clay figurines stand with a printed snake symbol on a lantern.
- Main Lantern Build: An octagonal structure with transparent printed panels and hanging lanterns, topped by a knob that activates the light feature.
The set, priced at $130, €100, or £90, includes 1,295 pieces and five minifigures. It’s more of a display piece, with its modular design and light feature making it a standout addition to Lunar New Year-themed collections.
Final Thoughts
Both sets exemplify LEGO’s dedication to celebrating cultural traditions through creative and visually stunning builds. While they lean more toward display pieces, their intricate designs and meaningful details make them a great choice for collectors. Whether you’re adding these sets to a festive display or repurposing them for other builds, they offer a unique building experience that pays homage to the rich traditions of the Lunar New Year.
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