diff --git a/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.css.ts b/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.css.ts
index a86cb5adb..03307bdfa 100644
--- a/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.css.ts
+++ b/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.css.ts
@@ -9,46 +9,14 @@ import { keyframes } from '@vanilla-extract/css';
  * component; this module is motion only.
  */
 
-/**
- * Lantern bob — a hung lantern rises a touch and sinks again on a long, lazy
- * cycle, as if buoyed by warm air. translateY + a whisper of scale only; the
- * per-lantern duration/delay desynchronise the swarm.
- */
-export const animLanternBob = keyframes({
-  '0%': { transform: 'translate3d(0, 0, 0) scale(1)' },
-  '50%': { transform: 'translate3d(0, -2.2vh, 0) scale(1.015)' },
-  '100%': { transform: 'translate3d(0, 0, 0) scale(1)' },
-});
-
-/**
- * Lantern pendulum — a gentle rotational sway about the top mount, so each
- * lantern rocks like it hangs from a string. Pairs with the bob on a different
- * period to read as organic drift rather than a metronome.
- */
-export const animLanternSway = keyframes({
-  '0%': { transform: 'rotate(-2.4deg)' },
-  '50%': { transform: 'rotate(2.4deg)' },
-  '100%': { transform: 'rotate(-2.4deg)' },
-});
-
-/**
- * Tassel sway — the silk tassel under a lantern trails its parent's motion with
- * a wider, slightly lagging swing. transformOrigin is the top of the tassel.
- */
-export const animTasselSway = keyframes({
-  '0%': { transform: 'rotate(5deg)' },
-  '50%': { transform: 'rotate(-5deg)' },
-  '100%': { transform: 'rotate(5deg)' },
-});
-
 /**
  * Lantern inner glow — the warm light inside each lantern swells and dims, like
  * a candle breathing. Opacity + scale only.
  */
 export const animGlowBreathe = keyframes({
-  '0%': { transform: 'scale(0.94)', opacity: '0.55' },
-  '50%': { transform: 'scale(1.06)', opacity: '0.9' },
-  '100%': { transform: 'scale(0.94)', opacity: '0.55' },
+  '0%': { opacity: '0.7' },
+  '50%': { opacity: '1' },
+  '100%': { opacity: '0.7' },
 });
 
 /**
@@ -77,16 +45,6 @@ export const animPetalSway = keyframes({
   '100%': { transform: 'translate3d(0, 0, 0)' },
 });
 
-/**
- * Dragon drift — the gold dragon silhouette breathes and undulates almost
- * imperceptibly across the scene. translate + scale + opacity only, very slow.
- */
-export const animDragonDrift = keyframes({
-  '0%': { transform: 'translate3d(-2%, 0, 0) scale(1)', opacity: '0.42' },
-  '50%': { transform: 'translate3d(2%, -1%, 0) scale(1.04)', opacity: '0.6' },
-  '100%': { transform: 'translate3d(-2%, 0, 0) scale(1)', opacity: '0.42' },
-});
-
 /**
  * Lacquer-tint breathing — a barely-there pulse of the warm red ambient wash so
  * the static base feels alive without distracting motion.
@@ -107,3 +65,13 @@ export const animEmberRise = keyframes({
   '80%': { opacity: '0.5' },
   '100%': { transform: 'translate3d(0.6vw, -26vh, 0) scale(1)', opacity: '0' },
 });
+
+/**
+ * Lantern garland sway — the lantern set shifts a pixel or two side to side, as
+ * if in a breeze. Transform only.
+ */
+export const animGarlandSway = keyframes({
+  '0%': { transform: 'translate3d(-1.5px, 0, 0)' },
+  '50%': { transform: 'translate3d(1.5px, 0, 0)' },
+  '100%': { transform: 'translate3d(-1.5px, 0, 0)' },
+});
diff --git a/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.tsx b/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.tsx
index 409f0997e..b8e902523 100644
--- a/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.tsx
+++ b/src/app/components/seasonal/themes/LunarNewYear.tsx
@@ -1,13 +1,10 @@
 import React, { useMemo } from 'react';
 import { SeasonalOverlayProps } from '../types';
 import {
-  animLanternBob,
-  animLanternSway,
-  animTasselSway,
+  animGarlandSway,
   animGlowBreathe,
   animPetalFall,
   animPetalSway,
-  animDragonDrift,
   animLacquerPulse,
   animEmberRise,
 } from './LunarNewYear.css';
@@ -31,46 +28,6 @@ const GOLD_HI = 'oklch(0.92 0.10 92)';
 // data-URI so it costs a single GPU-composited layer (no DOM weight). The curve
 // is intentionally abstract and very subtle — a calligraphic ribbon-body with a
 // suggestion of a head, mane and tail arcing across the upper scene.
-const dragonUri = ((): string => {
-  const svg =
-    `<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='760' height='320' viewBox='0 0 760 320'>` +
-    `<defs>` +
-    `<linearGradient id='g' x1='0' y1='0' x2='1' y2='0'>` +
-    `<stop offset='0' stop-color='oklch(0.86 0.13 88)' stop-opacity='0.85'/>` +
-    `<stop offset='0.55' stop-color='oklch(0.82 0.14 85)' stop-opacity='0.7'/>` +
-    `<stop offset='1' stop-color='oklch(0.78 0.13 80)' stop-opacity='0.45'/>` +
-    `</linearGradient>` +
-    `</defs>` +
-    `<g fill='none' stroke='url(%23g)' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round'>` +
-    // Sinuous body — a thick tapering serpentine ribbon.
-    `<path d='M30 180 C120 90 200 250 300 170 S470 60 560 150 S700 240 740 150' ` +
-    `stroke-width='26' opacity='0.5'/>` +
-    // Inner highlight running along the body for a calligraphic sheen.
-    `<path d='M30 180 C120 90 200 250 300 170 S470 60 560 150 S700 240 740 150' ` +
-    `stroke-width='7' opacity='0.7'/>` +
-    // Head + horn flourish at the leading end.
-    `<path d='M30 180 C10 160 8 130 26 120 M26 120 C36 112 50 116 52 130' ` +
-    `stroke-width='9' opacity='0.6'/>` +
-    // Mane / whisker strokes flaring back from the head.
-    `<path d='M44 134 C70 120 96 132 110 152 M40 150 C66 148 92 160 104 180' ` +
-    `stroke-width='5' opacity='0.45'/>` +
-    // Tail wisps.
-    `<path d='M740 150 C754 138 758 160 748 172 M726 158 C742 168 744 186 732 196' ` +
-    `stroke-width='5' opacity='0.45'/>` +
-    `</g></svg>`;
-  return `url("data:image/svg+xml;utf8,${encodeURIComponent(svg)}")`;
-})();
-
-type Lantern = {
-  left: number;
-  top: number;
-  scale: number;
-  bobDuration: number;
-  swayDuration: number;
-  delay: number;
-  opacity: number;
-};
-
 type Petal = {
   left: number;
   size: number;
@@ -90,8 +47,6 @@ type Ember = {
   delay: number;
 };
 
-// A single five-petal plum blossom (gold), inline SVG so each petal sliver is
-// one cheap element. Returned as a data-URI background painted on a square.
 const blossomUri = ((): string => {
   const petals = Array.from({ length: 5 }, (_, i) => {
     const a = (i * 72 * Math.PI) / 180;
@@ -107,28 +62,56 @@ const blossomUri = ((): string => {
   return `url("data:image/svg+xml;utf8,${encodeURIComponent(svg)}")`;
 })();
 
-export function LunarNewYearOverlay({ reduced }: SeasonalOverlayProps) {
-  // Paper lanterns strung across the upper third, gently staggered in depth.
-  const lanterns = useMemo<Lantern[]>(() => {
-    const slots = [
-      { left: 9, top: 7, scale: 1.0 },
-      { left: 27, top: 13, scale: 0.82 },
-      { left: 46, top: 6, scale: 1.12 },
-      { left: 64, top: 15, scale: 0.78 },
-      { left: 82, top: 9, scale: 0.95 },
-      { left: 92, top: 20, scale: 0.7 },
-    ];
-    return slots.map((s, i) => ({
-      left: s.left,
-      top: s.top,
-      scale: s.scale,
-      bobDuration: 7 + rand(i + 1) * 4,
-      swayDuration: 5.5 + rand(i + 4) * 3,
-      delay: -rand(i + 7) * 6,
-      opacity: 0.78 + rand(i + 2) * 0.18,
-    }));
-  }, []);
+// [Gitea #231] Lantern garland: one 480px SVG tile (four scallops) repeats
+// across the width; small lanterns hang at the scallop low points, all within
+// the top ~20px.
+const TILE_W = 480;
+const TILE_H = 20;
+const SCALLOP = 120;
+const tile = (body: string) =>
+  `url("data:image/svg+xml,${encodeURIComponent(
+    `<svg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' width='${TILE_W}' height='${TILE_H}' viewBox='0 0 ${TILE_W} ${TILE_H}'>${body}</svg>`,
+  )}")`;
+const CORD = tile(
+  `<path d='M0 1 Q${SCALLOP / 2} 9 ${SCALLOP} 1 ${Array.from(
+    { length: TILE_W / SCALLOP - 1 },
+    (_, i) => `T${(i + 2) * SCALLOP} 1`,
+  ).join(' ')}' fill='none' stroke='${GOLD}' stroke-width='1.1' stroke-opacity='0.8'/>`,
+);
+const lanternSvg = (which: 0 | 1) =>
+  Array.from({ length: TILE_W / SCALLOP }, (_, k) => {
+    if (k % 2 !== which) return '';
+    const x = SCALLOP / 2 + k * SCALLOP;
+    return (
+      `<ellipse cx='${x}' cy='11.5' rx='9' ry='7' fill='${VERMILION}' opacity='0.28'/>` +
+      `<rect x='${x - 3}' y='5' width='6' height='1.6' rx='0.6' fill='${GOLD}'/>` +
+      `<ellipse cx='${x}' cy='11' rx='5.6' ry='4.4' fill='${CRIMSON}' stroke='${GOLD}' stroke-width='0.6'/>` +
+      `<path d='M${x - 2.4} 7.2 Q${x - 3.4} 11 ${x - 2.4} 14.8 M${x} 6.6 V15.4 M${x + 2.4} 7.2 Q${x + 3.4} 11 ${x + 2.4} 14.8' fill='none' stroke='${GOLD}' stroke-width='0.4' stroke-opacity='0.7'/>` +
+      `<ellipse cx='${x - 1.6}' cy='9.6' rx='1.6' ry='1.2' fill='${GOLD_HI}' opacity='0.45'/>` +
+      `<rect x='${x - 2.4}' y='15.2' width='4.8' height='1.4' rx='0.5' fill='${GOLD}'/>` +
+      `<path d='M${x} 16.6 V19.4' stroke='${GOLD}' stroke-width='0.9' stroke-linecap='round'/>`
+    );
+  }).join('');
+const LANTERNS_A = tile(lanternSvg(0));
+const LANTERNS_B = tile(lanternSvg(1));
 
+export function LunarNewYearOverlay({ reduced }: SeasonalOverlayProps) {
+  const garlandLayer = (image: string, animated: boolean, delay = 0): React.CSSProperties => ({
+    position: 'absolute',
+    top: 0,
+    left: 0,
+    right: 0,
+    height: `${TILE_H}px`,
+    backgroundImage: image,
+    backgroundRepeat: 'repeat-x',
+    backgroundSize: `${TILE_W}px ${TILE_H}px`,
+    backgroundPosition: '-20px 0',
+    animation:
+      reduced || !animated
+        ? 'none'
+        : `${animGarlandSway} 5.5s ease-in-out ${delay}s infinite, ${animGlowBreathe} 3.8s ease-in-out ${delay}s infinite`,
+    willChange: reduced || !animated ? undefined : 'transform, opacity',
+  });
   // Drifting gold plum-blossom petals — two parallax bands (far small/dim/slow,
   // near large/bright/fast) for depth.
   const petals = useMemo<Petal[]>(() => {
@@ -185,216 +168,33 @@ export function LunarNewYearOverlay({ reduced }: SeasonalOverlayProps) {
           inset: 0,
           contain: 'layout paint style',
           backgroundImage: [
-            `radial-gradient(120% 80% at 50% -8%, ${CRIMSON.replace(')', ' / 0.16)')} 0%, transparent 56%)`,
-            `radial-gradient(90% 70% at 50% 112%, oklch(0.42 0.17 28 / 0.1) 0%, transparent 60%)`,
-            `linear-gradient(180deg, oklch(0.55 0.20 28 / 0.07) 0%, transparent 26%, transparent 82%, oklch(0.40 0.16 28 / 0.08) 100%)`,
+            `radial-gradient(120% 70% at 50% -8%, ${CRIMSON.replace(')', ' / 0.09)')} 0%, transparent 52%)`,
+            `linear-gradient(180deg, oklch(0.55 0.20 28 / 0.035) 0%, transparent 22%)`,
           ].join(','),
           animation: reduced ? 'none' : `${animLacquerPulse} 13s ease-in-out infinite`,
           willChange: reduced ? undefined : 'opacity',
         }}
       />
 
-      {/* Imperial-gold dragon silhouette arcing across the upper scene — a
-          single composited SVG layer, blurred and screen-blended so it reads as
-          an ethereal gilt apparition, never a hard graphic. */}
-      <div
-        aria-hidden="true"
-        style={{
-          position: 'absolute',
-          top: '8%',
-          left: '-6%',
-          right: '-6%',
-          height: '46%',
-          contain: 'layout paint style',
-          backgroundImage: dragonUri,
-          backgroundRepeat: 'no-repeat',
-          backgroundPosition: 'center',
-          backgroundSize: 'contain',
-          mixBlendMode: 'screen',
-          filter: 'blur(1.1px)',
-          opacity: reduced ? 0.52 : undefined,
-          animation: reduced ? 'none' : `${animDragonDrift} 30s ease-in-out infinite`,
-          willChange: reduced ? undefined : 'transform, opacity',
-        }}
-      />
-
-      {/* Warm vignette frame — crimson edges, clear center, with a faint cheap
-          backdrop-filter for a silken haze around the rim. */}
+      {/* Warm vignette frame — a faint crimson rim, clear center. */}
       <div
         aria-hidden="true"
         style={{
           position: 'absolute',
           inset: 0,
           contain: 'layout paint style',
-          backdropFilter: 'blur(0.4px) saturate(1.05)',
-          WebkitBackdropFilter: 'blur(0.4px) saturate(1.05)',
           backgroundImage:
-            'radial-gradient(135% 120% at 50% 40%, transparent 54%, oklch(0.55 0.16 28 / 0.06) 76%, oklch(0.40 0.16 28 / 0.16) 100%)',
+            'radial-gradient(135% 120% at 50% 40%, transparent 60%, oklch(0.55 0.16 28 / 0.05) 100%)',
         }}
       />
 
-      {/* The garland string the lanterns hang from — a faint warm line. */}
-      <div
-        aria-hidden="true"
-        style={{
-          position: 'absolute',
-          top: 0,
-          left: 0,
-          right: 0,
-          height: '6%',
-          contain: 'layout paint style',
-          backgroundImage: `radial-gradient(140% 80% at 50% -40%, ${GOLD.replace(
-            ')',
-            ' / 0.14)',
-          )} 0%, transparent 70%)`,
-        }}
-      />
-
-      {/* Paper lanterns. Each is a hung group: a sway wrapper rotating about its
-          mount, an inner bob, then the lantern body (glow + ribs + caps) and a
-          trailing tassel. */}
-      {lanterns.map((l, i) => {
-        const W = 30 * l.scale;
-        const H = 38 * l.scale;
-        const cap = Math.max(8, W * 0.5);
-        return (
-          <div
-            key={`lantern-${i}`}
-            aria-hidden="true"
-            style={{
-              position: 'absolute',
-              left: `${l.left}%`,
-              top: `${l.top}%`,
-              marginLeft: `${-W / 2}px`,
-              transformOrigin: 'top center',
-              opacity: l.opacity,
-              animation: reduced
-                ? 'none'
-                : `${animLanternSway} ${l.swayDuration}s ease-in-out ${l.delay}s infinite`,
-              willChange: reduced ? undefined : 'transform',
-            }}
-          >
-            <div
-              style={{
-                animation: reduced
-                  ? 'none'
-                  : `${animLanternBob} ${l.bobDuration}s ease-in-out ${l.delay}s infinite`,
-                willChange: reduced ? undefined : 'transform',
-              }}
-            >
-              {/* short cord from the string to the top cap */}
-              <div
-                style={{
-                  width: '2px',
-                  height: `${10 * l.scale}px`,
-                  margin: '0 auto',
-                  background: `linear-gradient(${GOLD}, ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.3)')})`,
-                }}
-              />
-              {/* top gold cap */}
-              <div
-                style={{
-                  width: `${cap}px`,
-                  height: `${4 * l.scale}px`,
-                  margin: '0 auto',
-                  borderRadius: `${2 * l.scale}px`,
-                  background: `linear-gradient(90deg, ${GOLD.replace(
-                    ')',
-                    ' / 0.6)',
-                  )}, ${GOLD_HI}, ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.6)')})`,
-                  boxShadow: `0 0 ${5 * l.scale}px ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.55)')}`,
-                }}
-              />
-              {/* lantern body */}
-              <div
-                style={{
-                  position: 'relative',
-                  width: `${W}px`,
-                  height: `${H}px`,
-                  margin: `${1 * l.scale}px auto`,
-                  borderRadius: '50% / 42%',
-                  background: `radial-gradient(circle at 38% 32%, ${VERMILION.replace(
-                    ')',
-                    ' / 0.95)',
-                  )} 0%, ${CRIMSON} 58%, oklch(0.40 0.18 26 / 0.95) 100%)`,
-                  border: `${1.2 * l.scale}px solid ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.8)')}`,
-                  boxShadow: `0 0 ${16 * l.scale}px ${CRIMSON.replace(
-                    ')',
-                    ' / 0.5)',
-                  )}, inset 0 0 ${10 * l.scale}px oklch(0.78 0.16 60 / 0.35)`,
-                  overflow: 'hidden',
-                }}
-              >
-                {/* breathing inner candle glow */}
-                <div
-                  style={{
-                    position: 'absolute',
-                    left: '50%',
-                    top: '52%',
-                    width: `${W * 0.6}px`,
-                    height: `${H * 0.55}px`,
-                    marginLeft: `${-W * 0.3}px`,
-                    marginTop: `${-H * 0.275}px`,
-                    borderRadius: '50%',
-                    background: `radial-gradient(circle, ${GOLD_HI.replace(
-                      ')',
-                      ' / 0.9)',
-                    )} 0%, oklch(0.80 0.16 65 / 0.5) 45%, transparent 75%)`,
-                    filter: 'blur(1px)',
-                    animation: reduced
-                      ? 'none'
-                      : `${animGlowBreathe} ${l.bobDuration * 0.7}s ease-in-out ${
-                          l.delay
-                        }s infinite`,
-                    willChange: reduced ? undefined : 'transform, opacity',
-                  }}
-                />
-                {/* vertical paper ribs */}
-                <div
-                  style={{
-                    position: 'absolute',
-                    inset: 0,
-                    backgroundImage: `repeating-linear-gradient(90deg, transparent 0, transparent ${
-                      W / 6 - 0.6
-                    }px, ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.18)')} ${W / 6 - 0.6}px, ${GOLD.replace(
-                      ')',
-                      ' / 0.18)',
-                    )} ${W / 6}px)`,
-                  }}
-                />
-              </div>
-              {/* bottom gold cap */}
-              <div
-                style={{
-                  width: `${cap}px`,
-                  height: `${4 * l.scale}px`,
-                  margin: '0 auto',
-                  borderRadius: `${2 * l.scale}px`,
-                  background: `linear-gradient(90deg, ${GOLD.replace(
-                    ')',
-                    ' / 0.6)',
-                  )}, ${GOLD_HI}, ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.6)')})`,
-                }}
-              />
-              {/* swaying silk tassel */}
-              <div
-                style={{
-                  width: `${2 * l.scale}px`,
-                  height: `${16 * l.scale}px`,
-                  margin: '0 auto',
-                  transformOrigin: 'top center',
-                  background: `linear-gradient(${CRIMSON}, ${GOLD.replace(')', ' / 0.8)')})`,
-                  borderRadius: '1px',
-                  animation: reduced
-                    ? 'none'
-                    : `${animTasselSway} ${l.swayDuration * 0.8}s ease-in-out ${l.delay}s infinite`,
-                  willChange: reduced ? undefined : 'transform',
-                }}
-              />
-            </div>
-          </div>
-        );
-      })}
+      {/* [Gitea #231] A garland of small paper lanterns on a scalloped cord, all
+          within the top ~20px so it stays above header icons and text (the old
+          lanterns hung 7-20% down, over Create Room, search boxes and messages).
+          Two lantern sets glow and sway a little, alternately. */}
+      <div aria-hidden="true" style={garlandLayer(CORD, false)} />
+      <div aria-hidden="true" style={garlandLayer(LANTERNS_A, true, 0)} />
+      <div aria-hidden="true" style={garlandLayer(LANTERNS_B, true, -2.2)} />
 
       {/* Drifting gold plum-blossom petals (motion only). Static settled
           blossoms render below for the reduced/preview scene. */}