On February 17, marking the first day of Chinese New Year, English actor Tom Felton acknowledged the festivities by displaying a traditional New Year poster featuring his own image on his dressing room door. The 38-year-old shared this moment through a video posted by Harry Potter On Broadway on Instagram, highlighting his connection to the holiday through his iconic role as Draco Malfoy. Felton is currently performing as an adult version of Malfoy in the Broadway production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in New York.
How Draco Malfoy Became a Symbol of Good Luck in China
Draco Malfoy, known as Harry Potter’s rival during their Hogwarts days, has unexpectedly become a symbol of good fortune in China this year. This unusual status is the result of a linguistic coincidence: when the character’s name was transliterated into Chinese as Ma er fu, it included the characters for “horse” (ma) and “fortune” (fu). Because the 2024 Chinese New Year celebrates the Year of the Horse, Malfoy’s name took on a positive and auspicious meaning, making him a natural emblem for the holiday.
The Harry Potter film series, released between 2001 and 2011, has special nostalgic value for many Chinese viewers. These movies became popular during a time when attending cinemas was becoming more widespread in China. This association cemented Malfoy’s unexpected popularity, with his image appearing widely in seasonal memes, billboards, and festive decorations.
Merchandise and Media Embrace the Malfoy Connection
Capitalizing on this trend, online sellers have made inexpensive holiday merchandise featuring Tom Felton’s likeness as Malfoy, allowing fans to purchase memorabilia easily. The character’s newfound popularity has even reached official channels: on February 17, China’s state-run broadcaster CCTV-6 aired Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to mark the celebrations. Meanwhile, the social media post shared by Harry Potter On Broadway has been met with enthusiasm, particularly among Chinese fans.
“He even knew to post it upside down,”
noted a user on the Chinese platform Weibo, referring to the traditional placement of the “fu” (fortune) character. Hanging it upside down plays on the phrase fu dao, which sounds like “fortune has arrived,” adding an extra layer of cultural significance to Felton’s post.
Tom Felton Further Acknowledges the Festival on Social Media
On February 19, Felton posted a photo of himself surrounded by traditional Chinese couplets and more Malfoy-themed decorations. He wrote “Happy Chinese New Year” in English and followed it with the equivalent greeting in Chinese characters. His engagement with the holiday was warm and sincere, reflecting his position as both a celebrated actor and a link between the Harry Potter universe and contemporary culture in China.
Controversy and Regional Sensitivities Surround the New Year Greeting
However, Felton’s choice to use “Chinese New Year” sparked debate on social media, with some users from Taiwan, Vietnam, and other countries expressing discontent. They argued that the term excludes those who celebrate the holiday under different names, such as “Lunar New Year.” One user wrote,
“Correction: It’s Happy Lunar New Year unless you’re planning to go to China to make money,”
pointing out geopolitical and cultural nuances tied to the terminology.
The controversy also reflects linguistic differences across regions. While the mainland China transliteration of Malfoy includes the “fortune” (fu) character, in Taiwan, the character is rendered differently as Ma fen, lacking the auspicious connotation. This underscores how local contexts can shape how global franchises and shared festivals are experienced and represented.
Harry Potter’s Enduring Popularity and Future in China
The Harry Potter franchise remains a strong cultural presence in China, one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing film markets. Despite the original movies’ release over a decade ago—when China’s cinema infrastructure was far less developed—the films continue to attract audiences. All eight entries in the series were re-released in Chinese theaters earlier in 2024, reinforcing the franchise’s lasting appeal.
Looking ahead, Universal Studios Beijing features a Harry Potter-themed section, providing fans with immersive experiences related to the wizarding world. Additionally, Warner Brothers plans to open a Harry Potter studio tour attraction at an amusement park in Shanghai by 2027, signaling long-term investment in the brand’s connection with Chinese audiences and culture.
