Which Greek New Year's Eve custom involves hanging an onion outside the front door?

The Greek New Year’s Eve custom involves hanging an onion outside the front door as a symbol of growth.

In Greece, the onion is associated with regeneration because it can sprout and develop even after being stored. Families may hang one outside the home around New Year’s, and in some traditions parents wake children on New Year’s Day by tapping them with the onion. The practice is connected with hopes for renewal and continued growth in the coming year.

This custom is distinct from the Greek tradition of breaking a pomegranate, whose seeds symbolize abundance and fertility. It is also different from the New Year’s cake called vasilopita, which may contain a hidden coin. Customs vary among regions and households, so not every Greek family observes the onion tradition in exactly the same way.