An unusual Lunar New Year trend has taken over parts of China this year, and it stars none other than Draco Malfoy. The Harry Potter character, played by Tom Felton, has become a surprise festive symbol in Chinese homes.
Across the country, people are decorating their doors and walls with Malfoy themed images. E commerce platforms now sell stickers, magnets, and posters featuring his well known smirk. What sparked this trend is not magic, but language and culture.
Why Draco Malfoy Fits the Lunar New Year Theme
The popularity comes from the Chinese translation of Malfoy’s name, Ma er fu. The name includes the words for horse and fortune. This makes it especially lucky for the upcoming Year of the Horse.
Because Lunar New Year traditions strongly focus on luck and prosperity, many people see Malfoy’s name as a good omen. As a result, his image now appears alongside classic New Year decorations.
A Creative Twist on Traditional Decorations
Before Lunar New Year, families in China usually hang red couplets on their doors. These couplets carry messages of health, wealth, and success. Many homes also display fuzi, which are red square papers printed with the Chinese word for prosperity.
People often hang fuzi upside down. In Chinese, the word for upside down sounds the same as the word for arrival. This symbolises good fortune arriving at the home.
This year, some families added a modern twist. Social media users shared photos of Draco Malfoy images placed upside down, copying the fuzi tradition. The mix of pop culture and custom quickly went viral.
Social Media and Online Shops Fuel the Trend
Chinese social platforms filled with posts saying, “Share this image for good fortune.” Others called it an Eastern New Year with magical elements. One popular comment referenced Felix Felicis, the lucky potion from the Harry Potter series.
Online sellers on Taobao acted fast. They launched Malfoy themed Lunar New Year products to meet demand. The items sold quickly as fans joined the trend.
Tom Felton Reacts and Fans Celebrate
The trend even reached Tom Felton himself. He reshared an Instagram story that described Draco Malfoy as a symbol of Chinese New Year in China. His reaction thrilled fans across Chinese social media.
Soon after, a hashtag praising the actor gained attention. Many users called him funny and charming, which pushed the trend even further.
Harry Potter’s Strong Fanbase in China
Harry Potter has remained hugely popular in China for years. The book series has sold hundreds of millions of copies. In 2020, a re release of the first film earned more than 90 million yuan in just three days.
The fandom continues to grow. Warner Bros Discovery has also announced plans to open the world’s largest Making Of Harry Potter studio tour in Shanghai in 2027. This shows how strong the franchise remains in the region.
