Why is Draco Malfoy the Face of Chinese New Year 2026?

Draco Malfoy has become the golden boy of Chinese New Year in China.

The annual holiday, which takes place this year on February 17, has found an unlikely mascot in the form of the blonde Slytherin. Netizens on Chinese social media platforms like Douyin and RedNote (or Xiaohongshu) have quickly begun showing off their red-squared New Year decorations, complete with Malfoy’s smirking face. They’ve begun adorning their front doors, refrigerators, and walls with Malfoy-themed decor, adding small notes asking for good fortune to come to their homes.

For those of us who aren’t in on the joke yet, let me refer you to Malfoy’s Chinese name. When translated, Malfoy becomes “马尔福” or “mǎ ěr fú,” which includes the characters for “horse” (马 or mǎ) and “fortune” (福 or fú). It’s a bit of a play on the phrase “马来福” or “mǎ lái fú,” which welcomes prosperity in the Year of the Horse.

Some netizens have also posted their Malfoy posters upside down, just like how traditional good fortune posters are posted upside down to mimic good fortune flowing into your home.

Mel Wang

Contributing Writer

Mel Wang is a contributing writer specializing in film, television, and literature. She writes reviews, essays, and has profiled Hollywood actors such as David Corenswet and Steve Carell, director Jade Castro, and romance author Mina Esguerra.

See more stories by Mel Wang

• In This Article:
• Chinese New Year
• Harry Potter