A production error at a factory in eastern China has turned ordinary toy ponies into viral “crying-faced” horses, which have quickly become popular mascots for the Year of the Horse.
In January, a netizen shared a photo of a pony with a tearful expression, prompting the retailer — amused by the mistake — to offer exchanges. The toy was produced at Yiwu International Trade City, the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities.
The 20cm red horse, priced at 25 yuan (US$4), is traditionally a symbol of good luck for the Year of the Horse and features an embroidered golden “money comes quickly” message. A sewing error caused the toy’s mouth and nostrils to face downward, giving it a permanently crying expression that was initially seen as a defect.
However, the imperfection has been widely embraced online, with netizens dubbing it the “Crying Horse.” One buyer, known as Tuan Tuan Mami, shared, “This little horse looks so sad and pitiful, just like how I feel at work. With this crying toy in the Year of the Horse, I hope to leave all my grievances behind and keep only happiness.”
Many young Chinese office workers, who often refer to themselves as niu ma — a euphemism meaning “cattle and horse” for overworked laborers — have adopted the toy as a relatable symbol of daily work struggles. Another shopper commented, “Imperfect is the true reflection of ordinary people. Our flaws are what make life truly vibrant.”
Initially, the factory sold only 400 units daily after the toy’s release last October. Following the viral popularity of the crying version, orders have surged to tens of thousands per day. To keep up with demand, the factory added more than 10 production lines.
Factory owner Zhang Huoqing promised to reward the production team responsible for the design, though the worker behind the original mistake remains unknown. The company has applied for a design patent and expanded the product line to include keychains, travel neck pillows, and other merchandise. Zhang also reported a rise in international wholesale orders from South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
The crying horse has become an online sensation, with related discussions on Chinese social media generating over a billion views. February 17 marks the start of the Year of the Horse in the Chinese calendar, a symbol of vitality, progress, and resilience.
One fan said, “The crying horse is the perfect mascot for 2026. I hope we can all embrace life’s sadness and adversity with ease.” Others praised the retailer and factory for their quick response and innovative approach, noting how a simple mistake became a heartwarming success.
