The Year of the Snake may be over, but one Slytherin is still popping up as a symbol of the Lunar New Year. Ahead of the Year of the Fire Horse, the Harry Potter character is trending online as an unlikely mascot. But what does the Chinese zodiac’s fiery equine have to do with a platinum-blond wizard? And how did Malfoy end up plastered across red New Year posters in China? Much of the fascination, it turns out, is written right in the characters.
The Wizarding World of Wordplay
Forget horseshoes, Hogwarts' resident villain is apparently the new good luck charm. It all comes down to a play on words, particularly in relation to his Chinese name. And no, nothing is lost in translation here.
Draco Malfoy’s name in Chinese, “马尔福” (mǎ ěr fú), contains two characters with New Year significance: “马” (mǎ), meaning “horse,” and “福” (fú), meaning “fortune” or “blessing.” Coincidentally, the first character nods to 2026’s zodiac animal, while the second is a staple of Lunar New Year festivities. Together, the name sounds similar to “马来福” (mǎ lái fú), a celebratory phrase welcoming good fortune, making Malfoy an unexpectedly apt mascot in the Year of the Horse.
From Meme to Mantel
Slytherin-themed decorations are nothing new—at least for Harry Potter fans. But now, Draco Malfoy is shedding his snakeskin for bright red Lunar New Year décor, hopping on the saddle of the Fire Horse. During the Chinese New Year, decorations are hung to bring luck, wealth, and protection into the home, often through clever puns and wordplay. Classic motifs include fish, red lanterns, plum blossoms, and now, Malfoy’s iconic blond mop and mischievous smirk.