Yellow clothing is traditionally associated with New Year’s Eve celebrations in Ecuador.
In Ecuador, wearing yellow at the turn of the year is widely linked with hopes for prosperity, luck, and positive energy. People may wear yellow underwear or other yellow garments, making the color part of a broader collection of New Year customs practiced in homes and public celebrations.
Another prominent Ecuadorian tradition is the creation and burning of años viejos, or “old years.” These effigies represent the year that is ending and are burned at midnight or around the transition into the new year. Families and communities may construct figures based on characters, celebrities, politicians, or events from the past year.
The yellow-clothing custom should not be confused with a universal Latin American rule: New Year colors and their meanings vary by country. Red may be associated with love in some places, while white can symbolize peace or renewal elsewhere. In Ecuador, however, yellow is the color most strongly connected with luck and prosperity at New Year.