The pomegranate is traditionally smashed or displayed for prosperity in Greek New Year's customs.
In Greece, the fruit is associated with abundance, fertility and good fortune. One custom involves hanging or displaying a pomegranate, then smashing it at the entrance of a home around New Year's Day so its many seeds scatter across the threshold. A plentiful spread of seeds is interpreted as a favorable sign for the household.
The symbolism is much older than the modern holiday. In Greek mythology, the pomegranate is linked to Persephone and the underworld, while ancient Greek and Mediterranean traditions often treated the fruit as a sign of life, fertility and renewal. Modern households may follow the custom in different ways, and not everyone performs the ritual.
The pomegranate should not be confused with the Greek New Year's cake vasilopita. Vasilopita contains a hidden coin, and the person who finds it is traditionally considered lucky for the coming year.