Draco Malfoy Is China’s Unlikely Lunar New Year Icon and the Internet Is Losing It

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The internet has done it again. In a twist that absolutely no one saw coming, Draco Malfoy—the sneering, platinum-blonde antagonist from the Harry Potter franchise—has become the unofficial mascot of China’s Year of the Horse celebrations. Yes, you read that correctly. The Slytherin prince is now a symbol of good fortune, and honestly? This is the kind of delightfully unhinged content the internet was made for.

How Did We Get Here?

The viral phenomenon comes down to something beautifully simple: linguistics. Draco Malfoy’s name is transliterated into Mandarin as “Ma Er Fu.”

According to The Times, the word “Ma” means “horse” (马), while “Fu” means good fortune (福). Read together, the name sounds like horses bringing luck, making the character feel especially appropriate for the Year of the Hor...