Hong Kong toymakers upset over stuffed symbol of protest Lufsig the wolf

Toys are designed to be symbols of peace and love and should never be used as weapons to attack people, local toymakers have said in response to activists throwing a stuffed toy wolf at officials during a protest.

“We make toys to educate our kids to love people,” said Yeung Chi-kong, executive vice-president of the Toys Manufacturers’ Association. “We talk only about love but not hatred. It is definitely not the objective of toy manufacturers to make a toy for people to express their anger.”

The grinning wolf stuffed toy, Lufsig, selling at global furniture chain Ikea, has become an unlikely symbol of protest against the government of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, who has long been characterised by opponents as a “wolf” for his perceived cunning and lack of integrity.

The translation of the toy’s name used in mainland stores is close to an obscene three-word phrase in Cantonese associated with female genitalia.

Hong Kong’s Ikea stores have not translated the name of the wolf, which the store’s website describes as “fond of play and mischief”.

“I think those who turned a toy into an attack weapon are setting a bad example to our future generation,” Yeung said.