A red horse plush with a droopy mouth is trending ahead of Chinese New Year in February, which marks the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The toy was meant to look cheerful, but a sewing mistake flipped the smile into a frown, creating what shoppers now call the “crying horse”.
Photos of the plush quickly spread online, and the unexpected look helped push it into viral territory.
The toy is sold in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, a major centre for wholesale goods and seasonal decorations. It is reported by various media outlets that the very first buyer did not ask for a refund and instead, interest rose after the image was shared online, and more people started placing orders for the “sad” version on purpose.
The plush is around 20cm, but some bigger versions are now available, and is bright red for good luck, with a gold collar and a small bell. A short phrase in gold stitching on the body reads “money comes quickly”.
The crying horse is also available online, including on platforms like Amazon and Taobao, as demand continues ahead of the holiday, and not only in China.
Header Image Credit: Aliexpress