The pomegranate is traditionally smashed or hung in Greece at New Year's to symbolize abundance and fertility.
In Greek New Year's customs, a pomegranate may be brought into the home after the family attends church and then smashed at the entrance. The many seeds are interpreted as signs of prosperity, health, and blessings for the household. In some regional practices, the fruit is hung or displayed rather than broken.
The custom has deep roots in Greek symbolism. In ancient Greek mythology, the pomegranate is associated with Persephone and the underworld, while its abundance of seeds helped make it a broader symbol of life and fertility. The New Year's practice is separate from vasilopita, the Greek New Year's cake that traditionally contains a hidden coin for the person who finds it.