The onion; A Greek new year’s lucky charm!
Κρεμμύδα, το πρωτοχρονιάτικο γούρι!
The Onion as a Greek New Year Good Luck Charm
In Greece, one of the oldest New Year traditions is hanging an onion on the front door to bring good luck, health, and prosperity to the household. This unusual but meaningful custom is still practiced today and is closely connected to ancient Greek beliefs about renewal and fertility.
From ancient times until the present day, the onion (especially the wild, onion-like plant traditionally used) has been a strong symbol of fertility, rebirth, and purification. Onions are considered highly fertile because they continue to grow even after being removed from the ground. When left in a cool, shaded place inside the home, an onion can still sprout new leaves, showing its powerful life energy.
For this reason, the onion became a Greek good luck charm associated with growth and renewal. By hanging an onion on the door at the start of the New Year, families symbolically invite personal growth, good health, and a fresh beginning for the year ahead. This tradition reflects the deep connection between Greek customs and nature’s cycles.
Είναι πανάρχαια παράδοση να κρεμάμε αυτή την κρεμμύδα στις πόρτες μας, την παραμονή της Πρωτοχρονιάς, για να εξαγνίσουμε τον χώρο και να μας φέρει γούρι, δηλαδή τύχη και υγεία. Αυτό το φυτό, ακόμα κι όταν βρίσκεται έξω από το χώμα, κρυμμένο σε κάποια γωνιά του σπιτιού μας συνεχίζει να βγάζει φύλλα! Γι’ αυτό αποτελεί σύμβολο γονιμότητας και εξαγνισμού.
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If you want to learn about more lucky charms, then also read the article about the pomegranate
