Draco Malfoy Becomes Unlikely Face of Chinese New Year 2026: A Linguistic Twist

• Draco Malfoy, the Harry Potter villain, has become an unexpected symbol for Chinese New Year 2026, the Year of the Horse.
• His Chinese name, "Ma Er Fu," translates to "Ma" (horse) and "Fu" (good fortune), aligning perfectly with the New Year theme.
• This linguistic coincidence has led to his image being widely displayed on red posters across homes and shops in China.
• The trend is amplified on platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, with videos showing Malfoy posters being stuck upside down, symbolizing good fortune arriving.
• The phenomenon highlights how global pop culture characters can be reinterpreted through local traditions, blending modern fandom with age-old customs.