New Year’s Round Fruit Tradition

New Year’s Round Fruit Tradition

As the clock strikes midnight, and people worldwide usher in the New Year with various traditions, one delightful custom stands out — the consumption of round fruits. While staying up until midnight is a universal practice, the tradition of eating round-shaped fruits, like apples, oranges, grapes, melons, and papayas, holds a special place in Filipino celebrations.

Symbolism of Prosperity

The choice of round fruits is rooted in their resemblance to coins, signifying wealth and prosperity. By consuming these money-shaped fruits, individuals believe they are paving the way for a financially successful year ahead. The inherent sweetness of the fruits is also associated with bringing good luck.

Origins of the Tradition

The practice of consuming 12 round fruits is reminiscent of the Spanish tradition “las doce uvas de la suerte,” translating to “the twelve lucky grapes.” This custom dictates eating a grape with each toll of the New Year’s Eve bells, symbolizing each month of the year. Still prevalent in Spain and some Latin American countries, it likely influenced the Filipino version through Spanish colonial history.

Global Adaptations

Beyond the Philippines, the tradition of consuming round fruits during New Year’s has transcended borders. In the American South, a similar practice involves the consumption of Hoppin’ John, a dish featuring black-eyed peas, chosen for their coin-like roundness. Greece and Turkey add a unique twist by smashing pomegranates on the ground, with the number of seeds determining the extent of good luck.

Ring in the New Year

Beyond the realm of fruits, other cultures incorporate circular foods like donuts and bundt cakes into their New Year’s celebrations. These ring-shaped treats symbolize the cyclical nature of the calendar, offering a sweet metaphor for the year to come.

As people globally embrace diverse traditions to welcome the New Year, the universal theme of hope, prosperity, and good fortune remains at the heart of these celebrations.

_{Re-reported from the article originally published in Daily Meal}