10 Filipino traditions to bring luck and prosperity for the new year

 As the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve, many Filipinos mark the end of one year and the beginning of another with traditions and rituals that are believed to invite prosperity and good luck for the new year.

These time-honored traditions, with a touch of superstition, are rooted in Philippine history and culture with Chinese and Spanish influences.

From arranging 12 round fruits to scattering coins and wearing polka dots, here are some of the ways Filipinos welcome the next 365 days with hopes for good fortune.

10 Filipino New Year traditions

1. Wear polka dots or the Pantone color of the year

Why settle for the basic red when you can incorporate polka dots into your New Year’s Eve outfit? Filipinos believe the round silhouette of the pattern (like a coin) represents money and good fortune.

For some people, donning the Pantone color of the year is also believed to bring them luck — plus style points for those family photo ops!

For 2025, the Pantone color of the year is Mocha Mousse, a warm and rich brown hue that’s inspired by chocolate and coffee, symbolizing comfort and harmony.

2. Jumping into the new year (literally)

@raytarca Bruh my face LMAAO 😂🇵🇭 #backelapyorshet #filipino #tiktokph #philippines #asian #titoray #filipinorelatable #filipinocomedy ♬ ‘Wag Ka Nang Umiyak – Gary Valenciano

Grandparents tell kids to jump up and down – as high as they can – at the stroke of midnight, believing this will help children grow taller. Jumping is also believed to bring in good luck.

3. Media Noche

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Filipino families gather for Media Noche, a festive table filled with dishes symbolizing prosperity and long life.

This spread, a sumptuous blend of tradition and flavors, includes sticky rice treats, believed to help form a closer family bond, and pancit (noodles) representing long life.

Media Noche also symbolizes togetherness and reflects the values of family, faith and gratitude.

 4. A dozen round fruits

@love.princess.10 It’s part of the Filipino tradition to have 12 [round] fruits before the start of the New Year. 12 fruits = 12 months. Filipinos believe that it brings prosperity, happiness, good health and money. #fyp #foryou #filipinosuperstitions #ReasonForBooking #newyearseve #fengshuitips ♬ Paradise – TELL YOUR STORY music by Ikson™

Arranging 12 types of round fruits, rooted in Filipino-Chinese tradition, is believed to attract wealth for the new year. Round shapes symbolize money. Some people even add eggs for even more prosperity.

Tip: Skip the thorny variety (durians and pineapples) as they are believed to symbolize obstacles.

You may also like: 8 Filipino superstitions about celebrating the new year

5. Open all doors and windows

Every door and window must be open throughout the home when the clock strikes 12 to let the old year and bad spirits out and welcome blessings and good fortune coming in with the new year.

 6. Turn the lights on

Bright lights symbolize a bright future. Turning on the lights in your home at midnight on New Year’s Eve is a symbolic gesture to welcome positive energy and good luck as brightness is often associated with prosperity and new beginnings.

7. Make some noise

@raizel.com10 New Year in Philippines💀🎆 #newyear2024 #philippines #philippines🇵🇭tiktok #pinas #fireworks #pinaslangmalakas ♬ LOVELY BASTARDS – ZWE1HVNDXR & yatashigang

Fireworks, blowing car horns, banging pots and pans — the noise is believed to scare away evil spirits and ward off bad luck. 

No fireworks? Grab that torotot (hornpipe) or get creative with kitchenware.

8. Scatter coins everywhere

Coins, symbolizing wealth, are scattered everywhere, from the Media Noche table to every nook and corner of the house.

9. Fill up rice and water containers

Empty pantry? Not on New Year’s Day. Bare cupboards could mean poverty. Filipinos believe rice bins and water containers filled to the brim symbolize abundance for the coming year.

Some people include a glass filled with water and another filled with rice on the Media Noche spread.

10. Skip the chicken and some seafood

Some dishes are believed to be unlucky or inauspicious for the new year. Chickens are avoided as they scratch backward, symbolizing setbacks. Because they have wings, all your luck could fly away. 

Bottom-feeders like flatfish, cod and shrimp are also avoided as they are believed to symbolize sinking fortune.