8 Filipino superstitions about celebrating the new year
Photo by Vernon Raineil Cenzon on Unsplash
There are Filipino superstitions for literally almost everything, and that doesn’t exempt the new year. While it’s widely acknowledged that superstitions don’t really do much, it’s still a way to connect with our culture, especially if you don’t live in the Philippines.
All of these superstitions are about things that are important to Filipinos, like relationships, prosperity, and growing taller. Here are a few fun superstitions you can practice on your way to ringing in the new year.
Jumping to grow taller
Most Filipinos love basketball, but our height sadly didn’t get the memo. Jumping to grow taller when the clock hits midnight is one of the most common superstitions observed by Filipinos. Most kids do it, but adults who are more—ehem—down to earth also participate.
Wearing red to attract good luck
Many of our superstitions are borrowed from the Chinese. Red is a lucky color in China, and Filipinos have also come to adopt wearing red outfits on new year’s in hope to have better luck in the coming 365 days.
Wearing polka dots to attract money
The logic behind this specific superstition is that polka dots resemble coins, and coins are money; ergo, wearing polka dots will increase your chances of wealth in the coming year. Some people take it another step further by wearing stripes, because stripes symbolize bills and cheques, which have higher values than coins.
Round fruits
Having round fruit around the house is another superstition borrowed from the Chinese. Traditionally, there are supposed to be a dozen round fruits to symbolize prosperity each month of the year. The fruits also have to be different, like oranges, apples, watermelons, grapes, and the like.
Making lots of noise to ward off evil spirits
Making noise to ward off evil spirits is a superstition practiced around the world, but in the Philippines, pots and pans are usually banged together with all sorts of yelling to scare the would-be evil spirits away. This is also another reason why there are lots of firework displays for new years.
Eating sticky food to make the family stick together
Filipinos are typically a family-oriented bunch, which means we try to do what we can to keep ourselves close—including eating sticky dishes like puto and tikoy for new years. The thinking behind this superstition is that these sticky dishes will help the family stick together in the coming year. Either way, we’d never say no to a serving of biko.
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Scattering coins
Scattering coins around the house is another superstition that’s said to bring about prosperity. Kids are usually tasked with throwing coins in all corners of the home in order to greet the new year with more abundance. This superstition hits two birds with one stone because the clattering of the coins on the floor serve as noise to ward away evil spirits.
Cleaning to get rid of bad luck
Aside from tidying the house for guests on new year’s eve, it’s also believed that cleaning the home in preparation for the new year cleanses it of residual bad luck. It’s also thought that cleaning the home brings a positive and harmonious energy to help ring in the new year. Either way, you get a clean house!
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