What is the pineapple rolling ritual?
In China and Singapore, a pineapple is rolled around new homes for good luck. This tradition began in China and has become popular with Chinese people living in Singapore. Before stepping into their new home, homeowners will roll a pineapple into the house while shouting “Huat ah,” a Hokkien phrase that means “to prosper.” This ritual is meant to bring good luck and prosperity into the home for as long as the homeowners live there. In some versions of the tradition, the homeowners must roll the pineapple all throughout the house. The homeowners must not eat the pineapple afterwards. If possible, they should leave it under a tree to symbolize the continuation of prosperity.
Why is rolling a pineapple considered good luck?
The Chinese word for “pineapple” sounds like “fortune come.” In the Hokkien and Cantonese dialects, the word for “pineapple” is pronounced “fong lai,” which sounds like the Chinese translation of the phrase “fortune come.” While the exact origins of the pineapple rolling tradition are hard to pinpoint, it likely has to do with the similarity between these words.
Other Housewarming Rituals
Other Chinese traditions China has a long history of rituals and traditions—it’s where feng shui originated, after all. Many of these traditions have spread to other parts of Asia, especially Singapore. Here are some other common Chinese traditions associated with moving houses: Bring feng shui coins and fresh fruit (like pomegranates, peaches, apples, and oranges) with you when you first enter a new home to promote success, safety, and good health. Boil water as soon as you settle into your home to bring warmth and career improvements. Place sweets, candies, and non-folded money on desks and tables throughout the home to promote wealth and prosperity. Open all the doors and windows as soon as you enter the home to welcome in positive energy. Turn on all the taps and appliances in your home for about 3 minutes to invite a continuous flow of energy.
Traditions from around the world The Chinese aren’t the only ones with unique housewarming rituals and traditions. Many cultures from around the world have different practices believed to promote good luck and prosperity. Here are some examples: In Hindu tradition, bringing a cow into your home serves as a blessing. Hindus also boil milk until it overflows, then share it with friends and family as a symbol of family members sharing joy and sorrow equally. In Russia, homeowners let a cat enter their home first, as cats are believed to be able to sense positive and negative energies. In the Philippines, people scatter coins around their new living room to promote prosperity. In Spain, England, and other countries, it isn’t a good idea to bring an old broom to a new house. Replacing it with a new one symbolizes sweeping away bad energy and ushering in a fresh start. Some Native American cultures use sage and sacred herbs to smudge homes for spiritual cleansing and blessings. Various countries encourage sprinkling salt in the corners of a new home to remove negative energy.
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