Since 2019, the LEGO Group has marked the Chinese New Year with a series of Seasonal sets. These normally arrive at the start of a new year. The sets celebrated the Chinese New Year, which normally falls between late January and February. This year, we are being treated to a second wave of LEGO® Chinese Festivals sets, and one of them is steeped in traditional Chinese symbolism. Legends told of a Dragon Gate built high atop a mountain by Dayu, in the hope of controlling the floods. Carp caught up in the river water complained they could not travel back downstream. So the Jade Emperor promised the stricken carp that if they could leap over the Dragon Gate, they would become dragons. Nowadays, this tale is a symbol of good wishes and prosperity. Here’s a closer look at the upcoming Prosperity Carp Leaving set.
Product Details
Set Name: Prosperity Carp Leaping | Set Number: 80120 | Pieces: 736 | Theme: Chinese Festivals
Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Sticker: N/A | Minifigures: N/A
RRP: £44.99/49.99€/$59.99/89.99AUD/84.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, LEGO Online & selected retailers from June 1st
As mentioned above, many of the LEGO Chinese Festivals sets are inspired by ancient traditions. This means that certain colours, shapes and creatures have a deeper meaning beyond offering an interesting-looking LEGO model. It also means that the Chinese Festivals sets also have similar traits, but this particular set does offer something a little more unique. Taking the notion of leaping carp has resulted in a fun mechanism to replicate their journey through the Dragon Gate.
The focal point of the set is a large transparent blue ‘wheel’ which is made from recoloured Technic gear racks. Eight quarters are combined to create a circle. This sits within the base of the set and is powered by a pair of smaller gears, which are turned by a handle at the rear of the set. Although there are a couple of pieces which act as guards for the wheel, it’s only really held in place by those smaller gears. Once the wheel is in place, the rest of the set is built around it. This includes a group of waves to represent the flood waters and an ornate Dragon Gate, which bridges the wheel, allowing the carp to travel through and over it when the wheel is turned.
The set features three carp, two of which are mounted on the wheel, with the third lurking on the base of the set, awaiting its turn to become a dragon. The carp are my favourite part of the set; they really look like their real-world counterparts. I particularly like the use of a white wheel trim for the mouth of the carp.
The Chinese Festivals sets continue to offer interesting builds, and they must be popular enough to receive a wave of Summer sets along with the usual New Year releases. Although the Prosperity Carp Leaping set includes similar themes to previous Chinese Festivals sets, the blue of the water, the large wheel and the carp make it’s more vibrant. The set launches globally on June 1st. Look out for my review of the Ancient Moon-Gazing Inn set soon.
The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion of it
