At Greek New Year's celebrations, a pomegranate is traditionally smashed or cut to bring good fortune.
The pomegranate has long carried associations with fertility, abundance, and prosperity in Greek culture and mythology. On New Year's Day, families may break one at the entrance of a home or church, and the number of seeds scattered is sometimes interpreted as a sign of the household's luck and abundance.
Greek New Year customs also include the cutting of vasilopita, a cake named for Saint Basil. A hidden coin is placed inside, and the person who receives the slice containing it is traditionally considered fortunate for the coming year. These practices can vary between regions and families.
The pomegranate custom is different from the Spanish practice of eating twelve grapes at midnight. It is also not the same as the Greek New Year's cake, although both are associated with prosperity and good fortune.