Another of the upcoming June Releases, 40647 Lotus Flowers looks like it offers a simple but effective floral arrangement in a relatively inexpensive package.

With 220 Pieces and is priced at $AUD19.99/USD12.99/€12.99/£10.99/CAD16.99. It belongs to the company’s ‘Iconic’ theme, and will be a LEGO-branded retail exclusive.

On inspection of the parts, you could be initially mistaken for thinking this is some form of Technic see, full of Axles and connectors, as well as four of the 5 module-wide steering wheels. First appearing in 2020, this element has appeared in many floral centric sets, but this is the first time we have seen it in white. And then there is the cool yellow disc-brake element

After deciding that this is not a Technic set, the sheer number of 2×2 slopes, square or with points, I was left wondering if it might perhaps be a dragon or Speed Champions model.

On Paper, the build appears straightforward enough:

The Stems are made by simply joining green technic connectors together using with 2 module long black axles.

We build two versions of the lotus flower: a bud and 2 fully opened flowers. The bud uses a few SNOT bricks to attach the petals around the central hub.

And the flowers?

We build lots of petal units (24 in total) – 12 short and 12 long. Six of each module, in each colour.

Your Challenge, should you choose to accept it…

The model depends on two things: after building the appropriate petal modules – clip them onto the ring around the steering wheel at even intervals. Then stack them in the correct order: short petals below longer petals, with the steering wheels at right angles to each other.

I found this to be a little challenging. This had as much to do with the things on my mind and the lateness of the hour as anything else.

Closing the petals nicely depends on spacing the petals evenly around the steering wheel – I eventually achieved a modicum of success with this.

The layer order affects the overall look of the model, including the way petals close..

And Done.

Having successfully put the flowers together, I found they tend to fall over if left unattended.

So, Where should I put them?

Our glass vases are currently full of other LEGO flowers, so I opted to build one for myself, using parts on hand. These included transparent panels 1x6x5 and 1x2x5 bricks. I put a layer of solid bricks between each layer of panels s to secure the stacked elements firmly together. I placed a small layer of transparent plates around the top, covered by some tiles.[Thanks to Tash for suggesting I avoid my initial colour palette]

It looks quite alright, if I say so myself. It is a little unstable with the 4×6 base. If you try something like this, I recommend mounting on a larger base, for stability.

Overall, I quite enjoyed putting these lotus flowers together: the spacing of the petals offers a challenge to what might otherwise appear to be an otherwise simplistic build but responds well to a little bit of gentle perserverance. The final result is suitably impressive, and I find myself wondering how the parts might otherwise be used together for decorative forms. This is probably one of my favorite ‘iconic’ sets that I have put together in recent times – probably because I can relate to a vase of flowers, even if they are not ones I come across in daily life (being more likely to be found in Asia and the northern side of Australia). Im happy to give it 4 Arbitrary praise units out of five, for the satisfying way it looks on display, for such a satisfying

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Until Next Time,

Play Well!