Which zodiac animal does this set represent?

It recreates the snake, one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac.

Does the set include a minifigure?

No, all 173 pieces go into building the snake model itself.

How big is the set in terms of pieces?

At 173 pieces and 69 unique parts, it's a compact seasonal build.

Chinese (Lunar) New Year

LEGO® Year of the Snake

Year of the Snake is a 173-piece seasonal set that recreates the snake, one of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, as a standalone display model for Lunar New Year. Green, dark green, lime and dark tan combine to suggest a scaled texture. With no minifigure included, all 69 unique parts go into the animal model itself.

Set number: 40707
Year: 2024
Pieces: 173
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Chinese (Lunar) New Year
Different parts: 69

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 69

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (15)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Alternative models

Fan models by Rebrickable users that you can build (mostly) from this set’s parts. Instructions are available from the designers.

All 3 ideas at Rebrickable ↗

What can I build with it?

Description

A zodiac animal, built without joints

The snake is one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, and this set recreates its distinctive coiled shape using 173 static pieces rather than posable joints. The 69 unique parts are enough to build a curved silhouette that reads clearly as a snake from most angles, relying on part shapes and layering rather than moving elements to suggest movement. For anyone already collecting other zodiac sets, it's a straightforward addition timed to the relevant year. Because the shape depends entirely on fixed parts and their arrangement, getting the order and angle of each segment right matters more here than in a set with posable joints.

Colour used to suggest scales

Green, dark green, lime and dark tan are layered across the model to hint at scale patterns without relying on printed or stickered elements. That colour variation adds texture and depth to what could otherwise be a fairly plain shape, since a snake's body has less natural detail to work with than, say, an animal with limbs or a face. The exact colour and part breakdown is listed in the parts list on this page. Deliberately alternating the four greens rather than mixing them at random makes the finished model look slightly different depending on which section catches the light.

A seasonal, gift-sized build

Lunar New Year sets like this one are typically available for a limited window and appeal to people marking the holiday with a themed building project rather than a major set. With no minifigure and a modest 173-piece count, Year of the Snake works well as a gift or a short seasonal build rather than a centrepiece project.

How it compares in size

At 173 pieces and 69 unique parts, the set sits in the usual range for seasonal zodiac builds: compact enough for one sitting, but detailed enough to hold up as a display piece. Builders who already own zodiac animals from previous years can line them up together on a shelf.

FAQ

Which zodiac animal does this set represent?: It recreates the snake, one of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Does the set include a minifigure?: No, all 173 pieces go into building the snake model itself.
How big is the set in terms of pieces?: At 173 pieces and 69 unique parts, it's a compact seasonal build.

Reviews

No reviews yet. Build the set and tell others how you liked it.

Only signed-in users can write reviews, one per set. We check every review against our rules before it is published; we do not check whether the set was bought or built.