How to ensure a year of luck, love, passion, prosperity...

Want to make sure you get what you wish for in 2012? Look no further than our handy underwear guide – yes really! In Brazil your choice of pants on New Year's Eve can take on an unexpectedly momentous significance, since the colour is said to determine your fate in the coming year.

The cash-strapped should choose yellow to bring wealth and prosperity, those unlucky in love should plump for pink, and anyone already satisfied with their lot can simply wear plain white pants for a year of harmony and happiness. The Brazilian ritual then dictates that you must jump over seven waves in honour of the sea goddess Iemanjá, which combined with the traditional white attire serves to expose your choice for all to see (possibly a bonus for those in red or pink pants!).

If the humble Y-front, granny pant, frilly knicker or boxer brief could just be the key to a year's success in all endeavors of love, wealth or health, you'd better choose wisely, so we've put together a sort of underwear dictionary to help you interpret your options.

LOVE	PASSION	PROSPERITY	HEALTH	LUCK	PEACE

(NB we aren't sure it works if you just wear all six pairs.)