What fruit is traditionally smashed in Greece for good fortune on New Year's Day?

A pomegranate is traditionally smashed in Greece for good fortune on New Year's Day.

In a Greek custom called podariko, a pomegranate may be broken at the entrance of a home after the New Year arrives. The many seeds are associated with abundance, fertility, prosperity, and good fortune. The act is intended to bring a favorable beginning to the household.

The pomegranate has deep roots in Greek mythology and symbolism. It appears in the story of Persephone and is connected with life, death, seasonal change, and regeneration. Those older associations help explain why the fruit carries special meaning in New Year customs.

Practices vary between families and regions. Some households hang a pomegranate before the holiday and smash it later, while others buy a fresh one specifically for the ritual. It should not be confused with the Greek New Year's cake, vasilopita, which contains a hidden coin.