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Pomegranate, the fruit of life and good fortune, is smashed every year for New Year’s festivities in Greek households. The folklore tradition dates back to Ancient Greece with its origins in the Peloponnese, and through the centuries it has spread throughout every corner of Greece. During Christmas time in Greece, you see pomegranates everywhere. Most Greek households hang this rich fruit above the main entrance door of their house, and some people also get the fruit blessed at Church before doing so. A little before the clock strikes twelve, marking the advent of the New Year, it is the custom to turn off all lights and Smashing a pomegranate on New Year’s Day is an ancient Greek custom that continues to this day as the red-colored, nutritious fruit is considered a symbol of life and good fortune. Ancient Greeks believed that the pomegranate’s ruby-like arils, or seeds, symbolized abundance, perhaps because of their quantity. Greeks on many Greek islands in Greece hang a pomegranate above the door throughout Christmas. At midnight, on New Year’s Eve, the lights are turned out and the pomegranate is then hurled to the floor, or at the door, where it smashes, spilling out its seeds. Pomegranate is an ancient red fruit, which has been the symbol of fertility, prosperity and regeneration for thousands of years in Greece and in Greek mythology. “May your new year be full of abundance in all aspects of life” – that in short is the message of a smashed pomegranate on the first day of the year for the Greeks. So why are Greeks eager to shatter a pomegranate for the new year upon entering their homes (with the right foot) on January 1? Breaking the pomegranate on New Year’s Day is an Ancient Greek holiday tradition, with its origins in the Peloponnese or Serres, and later spreading over the entire nation. In Greek folklore, the pomegranate has served as a symbol of strength since ancient times. In modern times, when the family returns home from church on New Year's Day, the man of the house smashes the pomegranate on the front door. He wishes that the juicy, bounteous ruby-like segments of the fruit fill the home with health and happiness — and joys as many as the pomegranate's arils. The pomegranate is an ancient red fruit that has been the symbol of fertility, prosperity and regeneration for thousands of years in Greece and in Greek mythology. Learn about the Greek New Year's tradition of Kalo Podariko, which involves smashing a pomegranate for good luck. The pomegranate is also a symbol of good luck, even today, young brides in certain Greek villages, where Greek superstitions, customs and traditions are still strictly followed, throw pomegranates through the door of their new house, with such a force, that the pomegranate bursts open, scattering the seeds, this ritual is said to ensure a happy marriage and the birth of many children. Health benefits and New Year traditions “In Greek culture, the pomegranate holds much significance. It is a sign of luck, prosperity and fertility. It is also a sign of renewal and regeneration. Since the rituals that surround New Year’s usually involve ways to bring luck, it makes sense that the pomegranates are part of this.” In Greece, the fruit is so popular at this time of the year that you can not only find it whole but already cleaned in little plastic containers in the refrigerated fruit section of the supermarket. Greek cuisine is filled with recipes for pomegranate. Try a delicious pomegranate salad for your New Year’s table and any day of the week. New Year's Eve in Greece is a vibrant celebration marked by large public gatherings, live music, dancing, and fireworks. The most popular cities to welcome the New Year are Athens, Thessaloniki, and Santorini, where thousands come together to partake in the festivities. A pomegranate, an ancient symbol of prosperity and good luck, is hung above the door throughout Christmas.. At midnight, on New Year’s Eve, the lights are turned out and the pomegranate is then hurled to the floor, or at the door, where it smashes, spilling out its seeds. The pomegranate is a symbol of fertility, abundance, good fortune and prosperity. And according to Greek tradition, if you are wishing for some good luck in the new year, you should prepare for some annual pomegranate-smashing! On the first day of the New Year, in many Greek homes, the new year is welcomed by opening a pomegranate for good luck. It is also common to receive a pomegranate (‘ρόδι’, made of metal, glass or other materials) as a gift in Greece, to bring good luck ( ‘γούρι”) for the new year. Some examples of a “γούρι”: Yet neither had ever heard of a New Year’s Eve custom I’d seen at several Greek friends’ homes while growing up: the smashing of the pomegranate, which is said to bring good fortune — luck Ringing in the new year is an occasion full of lovely traditions like sipping on champagne and kissing a loved one or a hopeful romance at the stroke of midnight. Of course, pledging to grow and change in the coming year is a popular move. There's a certain fruit that appears at many New Year's celebrations; the pomegranate. The pomegranate is a symbol of abundance, fertility, and good luck and that is why in many areas of Greece it hangs on the door until the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, the family breaks the pomegranate at the door shouting “Happy New Year”. Thassos. In Thassos, there is a very special and old custom. The families sit around the lit
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