Round shapes are associated with New Year's Eve prosperity and lucky objects in the Philippines.
Many Filipino families display or prepare twelve round fruits for New Year's Eve, with the twelve fruits representing the twelve months of the coming year. Their circular form is linked symbolically with coins and money, so the tradition expresses a wish for prosperity. Families may also wear clothing with polka dots or keep coins in their pockets during the countdown.
The exact fruits and the number displayed can vary by household, but twelve is the familiar number in the tradition. Common examples include oranges, grapes, apples, melons, and other rounded fruit. The custom is part of a wider set of Filipino New Year's practices influenced by Chinese-Filipino cultural traditions.
The round-fruit custom should not be confused with Spain's twelve grapes, which are eaten with the twelve midnight chimes. Both use twelve items, but the Filipino practice centers on roundness and prosperity rather than a specific chime-eating ritual.