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Draco Malfoy is an unexpected Lunar New Year mascot in China
The sudden popularity is down to the Chinese translation of his name
Draco Malfoy, the rival of Harry Potter, has become an unexpected Lunar New Year mascot in China.
- READ MORE: ‘Harry Potter And The Cursed Child’: Seven Magical Photos Of The Play
Tom Felton is well known for playing the character in the Harry Potter movies, but now, the actor is also making an appearance in some Chinese houses, with e-commerce sites selling festive decor prominently featuring his face.
His sudden popularity is down to the Chinese translation of his name Malfoy, Ma-er-fu, reports BBC News because it contains the words for horse and fortune, ringing especially auspicious for the upcoming Year of the Horse.
Pictures show some users sticking couplets or upside down pictures of Malfoy’s signature smirk on social media in China.
#TrendingNow An unlikely #ChineseNewYear mascot has popped up in China this year — #DracoMalfoy in the #HarryPotter series. His sudden popularity is thanks to the Chinese translation of his name, Malfoy — Ma Er Fu, which contains the words for “horse” and “fortune” — ringing… pic.twitter.com/6tiGlsdOV1
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) February 4, 2026
Merchants on e-commerce site Taobao are also seizing on the trend, displaying stickers and magnets featuring the Harry Potter character.
The Malfoy themed Lunar New Year decor has even caught the eye of actor Felton, who reshared an Instagram Story about his character becoming a “symbol of Chinese New Year in China”.
Could be something idk.$Malfoy
8Vr3UjuHr6GrqbNxTGAzMQNdhHA98g4BZsPPMeY4pump https://t.co/5BPI5QBp7n
— Bad Thoughts 🦐 (@badone93) February 3, 2026
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Elsewhere, Felton recently received a huge ovation for his return as Malfoy in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.
Last year, it was announced that Felton would return as Malfoy in the Broadway stage production of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child for a 19-week run that is due to run until March 22, 2026.
His opening night saw him soak up a rapturous response from the audience for over 30 seconds when he first appeared, with the actor having to wait for a calm moment to deliver his opening line, “I need a favour”.
Debuting in London’s West End in 2018, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child sees Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermoine Grainger and Malfoy as adult parents sending their own children to Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry. The story takes place 19 years after the events of the books, and has won nine Olivier Awards as well as five Tonys.
Meanwhile, Felton also recently reunited with Daniel Radcliffe, 24 years after the release of the franchise’s first movie.
In other Harry Potter news, HBO is currently in the process of making a much-anticipated television adaptation of the book series, with one book set to be covered per season. John Lithgow will play Professor Dumbledore, Nick Frost will be Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape.
Young newcomer Dominic McLaughlin is set to play Harry, with Arabella Stanton portraying Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout taking on the role of Ron Weasley. The series is set to premiere sometime in 2027.
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Draco Malfoy, the rival of Harry Potter, has become an unexpected Lunar New Year mascot in China.
- READ MORE: ‘Harry Potter And The Cursed Child’: Seven Magical Photos Of The Play
Tom Felton is well known for playing the character in the Harry Potter movies, but now, the actor is also making an appearance in some Chinese houses, with e-commerce sites selling festive decor prominently featuring his face.
His sudden popularity is down to the Chinese translation of his name Malfoy, Ma-er-fu, reports BBC News because it contains the words for horse and fortune, ringing especially auspicious for the upcoming Year of the Horse.
Pictures show some users sticking couplets or upside down pictures of Malfoy’s signature smirk on social media in China.
#TrendingNow An unlikely #ChineseNewYear mascot has popped up in China this year — #DracoMalfoy in the #HarryPotter series. His sudden popularity is thanks to the Chinese translation of his name, Malfoy — Ma Er Fu, which contains the words for “horse” and “fortune” — ringing… pic.twitter.com/6tiGlsdOV1
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) February 4, 2026
Merchants on e-commerce site Taobao are also seizing on the trend, displaying stickers and magnets featuring the Harry Potter character.
The Malfoy themed Lunar New Year decor has even caught the eye of actor Felton, who reshared an Instagram Story about his character becoming a “symbol of Chinese New Year in China”.
Could be something idk.$Malfoy
8Vr3UjuHr6GrqbNxTGAzMQNdhHA98g4BZsPPMeY4pump https://t.co/5BPI5QBp7n
— Bad Thoughts 🦐 (@badone93) February 3, 2026
Recommended
Elsewhere, Felton recently received a huge ovation for his return as Malfoy in Harry Potter And The Cursed Child.
Last year, it was announced that Felton would return as Malfoy in the Broadway stage production of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child for a 19-week run that is due to run until March 22, 2026.
His opening night saw him soak up a rapturous response from the audience for over 30 seconds when he first appeared, with the actor having to wait for a calm moment to deliver his opening line, “I need a favour”.
Debuting in London’s West End in 2018, Harry Potter And The Cursed Child sees Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermoine Grainger and Malfoy as adult parents sending their own children to Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry. The story takes place 19 years after the events of the books, and has won nine Olivier Awards as well as five Tonys.
Meanwhile, Felton also recently reunited with Daniel Radcliffe, 24 years after the release of the franchise’s first movie.
In other Harry Potter news, HBO is currently in the process of making a much-anticipated television adaptation of the book series, with one book set to be covered per season. John Lithgow will play Professor Dumbledore, Nick Frost will be Hagrid, and Paapa Essiedu will play Severus Snape.
Young newcomer Dominic McLaughlin is set to play Harry, with Arabella Stanton portraying Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout taking on the role of Ron Weasley. The series is set to premiere sometime in 2027.
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