Min Rui is a commentator on cultural affairs. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

In early February 2026, Draco Malfoy – the blond Slytherin character from the "Harry Potter" books and films –unexpectedly became a symbol of good luck for Chinese New Year. The reason lay in a playful linguistic coincidence. His Chinese name, Ma Er Fu contains both ma (horse) and fu (fortune), making him a fitting mascot for the 2026 Year of the Horse.

A fan-made image placing Malfoy's portrait inside traditional Chinese character "fu" decorations quickly went viral across Chinese social media. Within days, Malfoy-Chinese New Year memes short videos and posts flooded platforms, and hashtags related to this trend have garnered more than 100 million views on Weibo.

When Internet wordplay crosses borders

The trend, sparked by Generation Z netizens, soon spilled beyond China's digital sphere. International media outlets – including the BBC, CNN, The Guardian and Reuters – reported on the phenomenon as a vivid example of Chinese internet wordplay. Even actor Tom Felton reposted an image of the meme displayed in a shopping mall in central China, calling it "brilliant."

Seen in a broader context, the Malfoy craze was far from accidental. During the Year of the Snake in 2025, Malfoy had already been embraced by Chinese netizens as a "guardian of the year" due to his identity as a Slytherin, a Hogwarts school house in the "Harry Potter" series represented by a snake symbol. Voldemort, a villain character associated with Slytherin, was also used in memes because the pronunciation of "Vo" in his name resembles "fu" (fortune).

A digital playground of cultural remix

Such playful reinterpretations have flourished across Chinese online communities. From Bilibili and Lofter to Xiaohongshu (RedNote) and Weibi, global pop culture is constantly being reshaped through Chinese humor and traditions.

Netizens have generated fan reinterpretations ranging from AI-created images of the the character Hermione as a high-achieving exam candidate to illustrations of headmaster character Dumbledore practicing tai chi, and humorous dubbing clips of Thor, from the Marvel Universe, bargaining at a Chinese street market. These creations blend global storytelling with everyday Chinese cultural references in ways that feel spontaneous and accessible.

From meme to marketplace

Beyond online entertainment, these fan-driven reinterpretations and wordplay associations often spark real-world cultural products. Once a meme gains momentum, China's highly integrated manufacturing and logistics networks enable creators to transform innovative ideas into merchandise – stickers, keychains, fridge magnets and even Spring Festival couplets and "fu" decorations – often within a single day.

This rapid transition from digital creativity to physical products illustrates that China's cultural vitality is powered not only by imagination but also by a strong industrial ecosystem capable of translating trends into market-ready goods with remarkable speed.

Chinese culture on global stage

The influence of Chinese online culture has been increasingly reaching global audiences, reflected by a recent trend described online as "Becoming Chinese." Social media users worldwide have experimented with Chinese lifestyle practices – such as boiling apples as a home remedy for coughs, wearing house slippers to keep feet warm, or practicing the traditional Chinese morning exercise routine known as baduanjin.

Even in tech communities, Chinese internet slang has quietly entered global digital language. The phrase "No 'zuo' no die" ("don't tempt fate") has appeared in GitHub comments, demonstrating how informal Chinese expressions are crossing linguistic and cultural boundaries.

From cultural co-creation to a new form of confidence

Together, these phenomena point to a clear reality: China's online communities are rapidly emerging as one of the world's most dynamic arenas of cultural creativity. Their innovative energy is not driven by official guidance, but by the humor and everyday wisdom of millions of ordinary people.

While parts of the Western world are still debating "cultural appropriation," Chinese youth have already stepped into an era of cultural co-creation. They love "Harry Potter," yet they do not blindly idolize Marvel heroes or global pop icons. Instead, they reinterpret foreign characters through their own cultural lens – absorbing them into their unique universe of meaning.

This represents a sophisticated form of cultural confidence. It is not about building walls to keep others out. Nor is it about simply dressing foreign characters in traditional Chinese costumes and declaring cultural success. Rather, it is about using playful reinterpretation to invite the world into China's storytelling – an open invitation to the world to celebrate Spring Festival together.

You do not have to fully understand the deep cultural longing behind the Chinese character "fu." You can laugh with us, paste this symbol of fortune with us, and perhaps believe with us that even the most arrogant young master can bring a little extra blessing during this year's Chinese New Year festivities.