12 Round Fruits and other Filipino Traditions on New Year's Eve

Filipinos are known to be superstitious believers. When celebrating New Year's Eve, part of our tradition is to prepare 12 round fruits, each to signify a month in the incoming year. These round fruits are believed to bring good health and happiness and will attract good luck and prosperity for the coming year. 

Some of the lucky fruits are apple, orange, pineapple, grapes, watermelon, pear, pomelo, avocado, lychee, kiwi, mango, lemon and banana. 

Aside from fruits, a cup full of rice means a bountiful year ahead, a cup full of coins means wealth and a cup full of cotton signifies a happy and prosperous incoming year. 

Filipinos also believe that wearing polka dots clothes on New Year's eve brings prosperity. Pockets are filled with coins to attract wealth. As well as children are urged to jump as high as they can (three times), because they believe that this will make them taller. 

Cleanliness and neatness is also practiced. The last days of the year are spent on cleaning everything. However, the first day of the new year should be spent without cleaning - to avoid sweeping away the good luck, but rather, welcoming a clean, happy and healthy year ahead. 

It is believed that everything you do on the first day of the year reflects your whole year. So do not start the year by spending money. Better be frugal, be kind and be happy. 

Happy 2016!!