Potterheads, this is for you! Draco Malfoy might have been a villain in the Harry Potter movies, but he is also one of the most loved characters. But did you know that he has now become an unlikely mascot for the Chinese New Year? But why? To know the reason, you will have to scroll down!
Draco Malfoy, The Lucky Mascot For Chinese New Year
Pictures of actor Tom Felton, aka Harry Potter’s Draco Malfoy, are all over China. The reason? The famous Slytherin House member has become the mascot of the Chinese New Year. And yes, everyone is as surprised as we are. Draco Malfoy played an anti-hero in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. But for many fans, he has still been a favourite character, with entire fandoms supporting him over the years.
For people celebrating Chinese New Year on February 17, 2026, the character has emerged as a symbol of good luck, new beginnings and hope. According to a report by CNN, the good fortune lies in his name. ‘Malfoy’ is transliterated as ‘Ma Er Fu’ in Mandarin. The words basically mean horses and good fortune. When read together, it means ‘horses bringing good luck’. Interestingly, the Year of the Horse begins on February 17, following the Year of the Snake, a symbol linked to Slytherin.
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How Are People Celebrating With Draco?
Videos and images are going viral on social media. They show Chinese people decorating their homes with red posters featuring Draco. Many posters also carry well-wishing phrases for the new year. People are adorning the walls and front doors of their homes with iconic images of Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, especially against bright red backgrounds.
According to CNN, the Harry Potter franchise is extremely popular in China. Nearly 10 million translated copies of the books were sold even before the last instalment was released in 2007. It seems fans have found a new and interesting way to celebrate their love for the series. Draco Malfoy might have been a villain, but for Potterheads, he remains one of the most loved characters. And honestly, using him as a lucky mascot for Chinese New Year was not on our 2026 bingo cards!
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So, tell us, did you like Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter? Because we absolutely did!
Cover Image Courtesy: @msgazelle220286/X