A pomegranate is traditionally smashed against a doorway in Greece at New Year to symbolize good luck and prosperity.
In the custom, a pomegranate may be brought into the home after a church service or at the start of the new year. It is then broken against the door, and the number of seeds scattered is popularly associated with abundance, happiness, and good fortune for the household.
The pomegranate has deep roots in Greek mythology and Mediterranean symbolism. Ancient Greek stories connected it with Persephone and the underworld, while the fruit’s many seeds helped make it a lasting symbol of fertility and plenty. Practices vary between families and regions, so the exact timing and ceremony are not identical everywhere. The custom is distinct from Spain’s midnight grape tradition.