In the Greek New Year's Eve tradition, the fruit often smashed or cut at midnight to bring good fortune is the pomegranate.
The pomegranate has long carried associations with fertility, abundance, life, and prosperity in Greek culture and mythology. Its many seeds make it a natural symbol of plenty, which helps explain its place in New Year's customs.
In one modern practice, a pomegranate is smashed against the entrance of a home after the family returns from a New Year's church service. The number of seeds scattered is sometimes treated as an indication of the household's luck and prosperity for the coming year.
Customs differ between Greek regions and families. Some people open or cut the fruit rather than smash it, and other New Year's traditions include the cutting of vasilopita, a cake containing a hidden coin. The fruit custom should not be confused with Spain's midnight grape tradition.