Draco Malfoy has unexpectedly become a Lunar New Year symbol in China, with fans treating the Harry Potter character as a sign of good luck ahead of the Year of the Horse.
As reported by the BBC, the trend has been gaining traction online as people prepare for the New Year festivities on February 17.
During the lead-up to the celebrations, Chinese households typically decorate their doors with red banners featuring auspicious messages that symbolize health, happiness, and prosperity in the year ahead.
However, this year, images of Draco’s face printed on similar red decorations have now begun circulating widely on platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu, placing the Slytherin student alongside more traditional festive imagery.
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As for why Harry Potter’s nemesis is being used as a decoration, it comes down to how his name appears in Mandarin. Draco Malfoy’s Mandarin name is written as Ma-er-fu, which contains the word horse and good fortune.
Together, the name closely matches themes typically associated with Lunar New Year celebrations, making the character an unlikely but fitting choice for the occasion.
Photos shared online show the Slytherin student reimagined as a festive icon, appearing on door signs, printed banners in malls, and as custom decorations in homes.
This is not the only viral Lunar New Year moment to emerge from China this year, as a horse toy became a major bestseller after a factory mistake led to increased demand.
