Lucky 12 Fruits For New Year

In the Philippines, It is part of our tradition for every Filipinos to have 12 round of fruits on display at the table on New year’s eve. It represents each fruits for every month. Filipinos believe that it brings Prosperity, Happiness, Good health and Money on the coming year. We often have fruits on display in our table on New year’s eve such as apples, orange, pineapple, watermelon, grapes, melon, longan, coconut pear, pomelo and many more, and just every fruit that is round. each color of the fruit has it’s meaning and shape of the fruit symbolizing luck.

Color

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Green and Purple – symbolize prosperity Pink – symbolize good health Red – symbolize happiness and luck Yellow – symbolize happiness and unity Orange – symbolize gold and money

Shape

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Circle or Round represents money or coins which will attracts good fortune to our house hold.

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As my family live in the Middle east, we still continue to bring the tradition in our household. we’re practicing the tradition as far as i remember. (I bet many Filipinos abroad still practice the tradition). besides it’s something nice to look at, with different colors and shapes.

Culture speaks

speaking of culture. we got this culture from Chinese ancestry.

Superstitious Belief

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As funny as it gets with our beliefs, we still practice it and still common for us. anyway we believe that, There is no harm in believing, It might even get you good luck.

These are some common belief we practice in New Year’s eve

1. Jump as high as you can when the New Year’s eve come – to become taller. (I did it every year when i was young, but it didn’t change my height, I’m still 5 feet tall) … lol haha : – D
2. Make very loud noises during New year’s eve – to drive away bad luck or bad spirit. (my Father do it with very loud firecrackers, I do it with trumpets and banging the pots and pans. haha
3. Lights should be all open. Rice dispenser should be open – welcomes a bright New Year and abundance of food
4. Wearing Polka dots clothes – It believes to bring good fortune, because polka dots is a circle that represents money
5. Throwing coins around the house – It attracts money to the house hold. (My mother used to do these, she throws lots of coins inside the house, and we children are racing to pick all the coins… hahaha This is soo much fun, believe me.
6. Sticky rice/Glutinous rice – we called it malagkit, symbolizes harmony and unity in the family
7. We eat Noodles – we called it pancit in tagalog, symbolizes long life, due to the long strands of noodles.
8. Eat together as a family – we gather to pray and eat together as a family. also for unity and harmony.

As i was writing this, I can’t help but to laugh and cried a bit. i am so delighted to remember my childhood, when life was very simple. crying because, i am not home for my parents at New year’s eve. I really missed them. though i will call them at New year’s eve Philippine time.

You are very lucky if you are home for New year’s eve : – )

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This coming New year’s eve, I planned to put 12 round fruits and veggies on my table for display that includes:

1. apple
2. watermelon
3. melon
4. blueberries
5. pomegranate
6. tomato
7. garlic
8. potato
9. onion
10. lemon
11. pear
12. orange

Every year, I am putting a plate with sugar, coins and cottons in it. sugar for sweetness in life, coins for fortune and cottons for harmony, unity and purity of life. This is our Traditions and Superstitious beliefs we grew up with, it may sound ridiculous and funny, But it is part of our culture as a Filipino. As i say, Anyway, there is no harm in trying it. This coming year, wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous New year! What fruits are you going to put in your table for New year’s eve?