Chinese Lunar New Year begins on Tuesday 17 February and marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse - last seen in 1966. And this year's celebrations have an unlikely, Harry Potter-themed mascot. Here's why.
The Chinese New Year is soon upon us and 2026’s lunar new year has a surprising mascot: Draco Malfoy.
Tom Felton, who played Harry Potter’s smirking rival in the movie series, is popping up in Chinese houses, trending on social media, and adorning decorations – with e-commerce sites even selling decor that features Draco's face.
So, what gives?
Is it because blondes really do have more fun?
Could it be that Slytherin green is back in fashion?
Or is China simply is a step ahead of everyone else in admitting that Draco was done dirty and that when you take a step back, he didn't kill Dumbledore, shunned his destiny to become a Death Eater, and that he’s not an inherently bad person but a product of a twisted household which indoctrinated him into believing that Muggleborns were beneath purebloods? Could this be the final step of a redemption arc we’ve all been foolishly ignoring because readers and viewers were told that the bespectacled wizard can do no wrong, making millions of viewers blind to the fact that Draco made difficult choices to break the cycle of abuse and did not blindly follow his dark destiny? Lumos, sheeple!
None of the above, sadly – although blondes do seem to have a great time. No, it’s because of his name.
In Mandarin, the name Malfoy is transliterated as “Ma-er-fu". The first character means “horse” and the last means “fortune” / “blessing”. Put together, this comes off as rather auspicious considering the upcoming Year of the Horse – a symbol which promises vitality, perseverance and success.
The Malfoy frenzy has spread and Felton, who recently reprised his role in the Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, has taken notice. He reshared an Instagram story about his character becoming a "symbol of Chinese New Year in China".
The wizard franchise has a huge fanbase in China. According to CGTN, approximately 200m copies of the Harry Potter books have been sold in China since the launch of Chinese versions of JK Rowling’s series in 2000.
Last year, Warner Brothers Discovery announced that it was going to build the largest Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai, calling the experience the “first tour of its kind in China”. It is expected to open in 2027.
