In an unexpected cultural phenomenon, Draco Malfoy—the aristocratic antagonist from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series—has emerged as an unconventional mascot for China’s Lunar New Year celebrations. The character’s sudden popularity stems from the Chinese translation of his surname, “Ma-er-fu,” which combines the words for “horse” and “fortune,” making it particularly auspicious for the Year of the Horse.
Social media platforms across China have been inundated with images showcasing vibrant red posters featuring Tom Felton’s portrayal of the Slytherin student adorning household doors and commercial spaces. E-commerce platform Taobao reports robust sales of Malfoy-themed merchandise, with packages of four decorative posters selling for approximately 11 yuan ($1.60). One Rednote user encapsulated the trend by stating: “Year of the Horse’s blessing, so stick on a Malfoy.
The phenomenon has reached monumental proportions, with photographs circulating online depicting a massive multi-story banner of Malfoy in his Hogwarts uniform draped across a shopping mall in central Henan province. This unusual adoption occurs despite the character’s villainous role in the original narrative.
This cultural adaptation highlights the enduring popularity of the Harry Potter franchise in China, where foreign film representation remains limited due to strict import quotas and growing domestic content production. The wizarding world’s commercial presence continues expanding, with Warner Bros recently announcing collaboration with Jinjiang International to develop a Harry Potter Studio Tour in Shanghai. Additionally, Beijing’s Universal Studios features extensive Harry Potter-themed attractions, and the film series enjoyed successful re-releases in Chinese theaters during 2024.