In an unexpected twist, Draco Malfoy, the notorious Slytherin nemesis from the Harry Potter series, has become a viral symbol of good fortune for the Chinese New Year in 2026. Celebrations for the Year of the Fire Horse, which officially begins on February 17th, 2026, have taken a surprising pop-culture turn, with Malfoy-themed decorations popping up across China.
The trend, particularly popular among younger generations, sees red square posters featuring Draco Malfoy's signature smirk adorning homes and marketplaces. These posters are strategically placed on doors, walls, and even refrigerators – traditional spots for symbols meant to attract prosperity and happiness. Social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu are flooded with images and videos showcasing this unique phenomenon.
But how did a Harry Potter villain become a Lunar New Year icon? The answer lies in a clever linguistic coincidence. In Chinese, Draco Malfoy's name is pronounced "Ma Er Fu" (马尔福). This pronunciation contains characters that translate directly to "horse" (马 - mǎ) and "good fortune" (福 - fú). The name also sounds similar to "ma lai fu" (马来福), a phrase that means "welcoming good fortune in the Year of the Horse". This wordplay has resonated with many, turning the character into an auspicious symbol for the new year. Some people are even displaying the Malfoy posters upside down, mimicking the traditional practice of hanging "fu" characters upside down to symbolize good fortune arriving.
The posters are commercially available on Chinese e-commerce platforms like Taobao, and many are also creating their own versions. This trend has captured the attention of Harry Potter fans worldwide, sparking amusement and memes across various social media platforms. As one Reddit user humorously pointed out, "Year of the Dragon - aka Year of Draco. Year of the Snake - aka Year of the Slytherins. Year of the Horse - aka Year of the Malfoys".
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a significant cultural event celebrated not only in China but also in Sinophone communities globally. The fifteen-day celebration is filled with traditions aimed at ushering in good luck, prosperity, and happiness. Decorations, family reunion dinners, red envelopes filled with lucky money, and firecrackers are all integral parts of the festivities. In preparation for the New Year, houses are thoroughly cleaned and adorned with red lanterns, couplets, and New Year paintings.
The Year of the Fire Horse is believed to bring a faster pace, big ideas, and a strong sense of adventure. The Horse symbolizes strength, freedom, and vitality, making it a time for ambition and personal achievement. However, the Fire Horse, which occurs only once every 60 years, is also associated with dramatic shifts and rebellious energy.
While the Draco Malfoy trend is a lighthearted and modern take on traditional Chinese New Year customs, it reflects the holiday's enduring importance and its ability to adapt and incorporate contemporary cultural elements. It remains to be seen if Tom Felton, the actor who portrayed Draco Malfoy, is aware of his character's newfound status as a Chinese New Year good luck charm. Regardless, this unlikely pairing of a Harry Potter villain and a traditional celebration has undoubtedly added a unique and humorous dimension to the Year of the Fire Horse.