The Greek New Year's cake vasilopita traditionally contains a hidden coin for the person who finds it.
Vasilopita is served around New Year's Day in Greek families and communities. A coin, called a flouri, is concealed in the cake before baking or inserted afterward, depending on the recipe and local practice. The cake is cut ceremonially, and finding the coin is regarded as a sign of good luck for the year.
The name refers to Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilios, whose feast day is celebrated on January 1 in the Greek Orthodox calendar. The cake is therefore tied both to the saint's feast and to the opening of the civil year. Some households make separate slices for family members, visitors, institutions, or the home.
Vasilopita can be sweet or resemble a rich bread, and regional recipes differ. The coin is wrapped or handled carefully so it does not become a hazard. It is not the same tradition as a Western birthday cake hidden with a plastic trinket.