Expats’ Guide: Filipino Christmas and New Year Superstitions
What makes the Filipino culture more interesting is its set of quirky and superstitious beliefs that add fun to the traditions. In any event, there will always be a set of beliefs that Filipinos usually conform to, even if it seems strange to you. To know more about some of these peculiar beliefs, read up on the following Christmas and New Year superstitions below and see if you’ve done or witnessed a thing or two.
Photo grabbed from bornadragon.com
CHRISTMAS
1. Don’t Wash Away the Blessings!
In some of parts of the Philippines, locals believe that it is rude to take a bath on Christmas Day for it might wash away the blessings on Jesus’ birthday.
2. Good luck Baby
If a child is born on December 25, he/she is considered a special blessing. Also, the baby is said to have a good fortune later in life.
3. Cheer Up
If you’re feeling down, save it up for later as Filipino Christmas should be celebrated with a wide grin and a happy aura! Failure to do may result in a year of bad luck not only for you, but also for your town. Uh oh!
4. Give love on Christmas Day
To some people, spoiling the kids on Christmas day is a belief that parents should give everything their kids want on that very special day. This is because according to the superstition, kids are God’s favorite creatures and refusing to do so will make God angry. Whether this belief is just made up by spoiled kids, no one knows.
5. Spare the insects
Another superstition that some locals believe is that you should not kill any insect on Christmas day, because it might bring bad luck to the community. Kill them on some other day, let them celebrate Christmas with you!
NEW YEAR
1. Time for your retro clothes to shine!
Filipinos believe that wearing polka dot clothes will attract fortune to come. The round shape is believed to signify prosperity to Filipinos.
2. Jump, jump, jump!
When the clock strikes 12 on New Year’s Eve, get ready to see a multitude of people jumping simultaneously as they believe that it will make them grow taller. (Yes not only kids. Even adults.)
3. Make some noise
If you’ve been living in the Philippines for a long time already, you must have noticed the loud noise that happens every New Year. Filipinos believe that making loud noises will scare evil spirits away. It’s now a chance to scream your lungs out without making your neighbors mad!
4. No sweeping
Sweeping is not allowed in some houses on New Year for some people believe that it will remove the good fortune away. What a great superstition for lazy cleaners, isn’t it?
5. Open house on New Year
Filipino families believe that opening windows, doors, and cabinets on New Year signifies a welcome of good fortune. However, you should close them after the party has ended for burglars might see it as an opportunity to rob you of your belongings—not good!
So, what do you think of these quirky superstitions? Do you now believe that it’s more fun in the Philippines? J
