Draco Malfoy’s posters went viral during Chinese New Year 2026. Here’s how
Chinese New Year celebrations in 2026 have seen a unique trend as Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series has become a symbol of good fortune, with his image appearing on decorations across China due to the play on words in his Chinese name.
Who would have thought that Draco Malfoy would one day be associated with good fortune? The Harry Potter character, famous for his icy smile and Slytherin pride, has emerged as an unexpected symbol of luck during the Chinese New Year 2026, sparking a viral trend across China.
The annual celebration, celebrated on February 17, has seen a surprising pop culture turn this year, with Malfoy-themed decorations flooding homes and markets.
Social media platforms such as Douyin and Xiaohongshu are filled with images of red, square posters featuring the character’s signature smile. These posters are being placed on doors, refrigerators and walls – traditional places where families display symbols that invite prosperity and happiness.
Where did it all begin?
This unusual trend arises from a clever linguistic coincidence. In Chinese, Draco Malfoy’s name is pronounced ‘Ma Er Fu’. The characters loosely translate to ‘horse’ (‘ma’) and ‘good luck’ (‘fu’), which makes it especially relevant as 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The play on words has influenced many people, who find the relationship humorous and culturally appropriate.
Adding to this trend, the phrase ‘ma lai fu’, which wishes good fortune in the year of the Horse, has further strengthened the association. In keeping with tradition, some homes are also displaying Malfoy posters upside down – a common cultural practice that is believed to symbolically “cast” good luck and prosperity.
The popularity of this trend has also translated into strong demand on e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, where Malfoy-themed festive decorations are being sold in large numbers. Additionally, many fans are choosing to create customized posters and designs at home combining traditional New Year symbolism with modern pop culture references.
The incident quickly spread beyond China, capturing the attention of global Harry Potter fans and sparking memes and discussions online. Many social media users have celebrated the playful union between fantasy and tradition.\
How is the Internet reacting?
One Reddit user echoed this sentiment, writing, “I like it for him, he never fades.” Another joked, “Year of the Dragon – aka Year of Draco. Year of the Snake – aka Year of Slytherin. Year of the Horse – aka Year of Malfoy (sic).” A third user commented, “I saw this on Instagram first. Hilarious.”
Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter film franchise, has not yet reacted to the viral trend. Meanwhile, the attraction continues to grow as fans and celebrants embrace the imaginary magician as a cheerful and unconventional good luck symbol.
This trend reflects how global pop culture is increasingly finding its way into traditional celebrations, creating an unexpected but delightful cultural mix. For many people this year, the Year of the Horse comes with a touch of Slytherin charm.
