LEGO's 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) Collection: A Detailed Look at the Trotting Lantern
LEGO continues its Lunar New Year tradition with three exciting 2025 sets celebrating the Year of the Snake. This review focuses on the most elaborate of the three: a meticulously crafted replica of a traditional trotting lantern.
The lantern, more than just a pretty exterior, is a testament to LEGO's design prowess. Its intricate details are breathtaking, from the hanging red lanterns to the exquisitely rendered gold accents and cloud-filled sky depicted on its walls.
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The building process itself is a layered journey of discovery. Starting with the core lantern, you progressively add intricate details, creating a sense of anticipation and rewarding craftsmanship. This echoes the joy experienced building the now-retired LEGO Carousel.
Inspired by historical Han Dynasty lanterns, the model incorporates a clever mechanism. A rotating rod activates a light brick, illuminating a translucent piece with a black-lined image, projecting it onto the lantern's side. While the advertised wall projection feature proved somewhat ineffective, the rotating image within the lantern is a charming nod to the original's design.
The real surprise lies within. Opening the upper tier reveals three delightful miniature scenes: a dumpling stall, a decorative goods stall, and a shadow puppet theater. This cleverly concealed element adds a layer of playful surprise. The set includes five minifigures, one in a snake costume, and accessories such as dumplings, a red envelope, a shadow puppet, and chopsticks.
The set's appeal hinges on your priorities. While the light-up, rotating mechanism is interesting, it might not justify the price for some. However, the stunning aesthetics and the hidden miniature scenes within make this a captivating and luxurious Lunar New Year celebration. Its complexity suggests an 18+ build despite its 9+ age rating.
The LEGO Trotting Lantern (Set #80116), priced at $129.99 and containing 1295 pieces, is available now at Amazon and the LEGO Store. This set is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts seeking a visually stunning and intricately detailed LEGO creation.
