Why Do Greek People Break Plates at Weddings? What to Know

Why Do Greek People Break Plates at Weddings? A Closer Look at Greek Culture

Greeks positive know how to throw a birthday party, however why do they break plates to celebrate? The answer may wonder you.

May 7 2024, Published 6:50 p.m. ET

At the heart of Greek celebratory traditions lies the vibrant and exhilarating practice of breaking plates at weddings, a customized that has intrigued and thrilled observers for generations. This distinctive custom, deeply embedded in Greek culture, transcends mere festivity, symbolizing joy, team spirit, and the ushering in of fine fortune for the newlyweds.

The act of shattering ceramics against the ground or against each and every other amid dances and tune is not just a spectacle of jubilation but additionally carries with it layers of historical significance and cultural which means. So, why do Greek people break plates at weddings? Here's what to know.

Why do Greek people break plates at weddings?

Originally popularized via cinema, specifically after the discharge of the film Never on Sunday, the place plate breaking was featured as a celebratory act, this custom has turn out to be a staple in Greek celebrations, symbolizing more than only a second of joyous revelry.

Though it is unknown exactly when this become a customized, the act of shattering ceramics is rooted within the belief that it wards off evil spirits and negative energy, ensuring that the auspicious occasion stays natural and unblemished by way of malevolent forces.

This practice may also replicate an old trust that moments of intense happiness can inadvertently attract negative energies, and thus, the breaking of plates acts as a symbolic shield, protecting the wedding ceremony and its contributors from unseen adversities.

The custom of breaking plates at Greek weddings would possibly carry a dual significance, serving not handiest as a non secular safeguard but also for some other people as a public show of wealth and prosperity. By hurling plates onto the ground or in opposition to one every other, and even incorporating them into dance performances, other folks can showcase their affluence and readiness to spare no expense in celebrating the union of two families.

What different wedding traditions do Greeks have?

Breaking plates isn't the only tradition you'll to find in a Greek wedding ceremony. Per Wedaways Travel, the exchange of rings in Greek weddings is a pivotal moment that symbolizes the couple's commitment to each and every different. In Greek tradition, the rings are exchanged thrice between the bride and groom via the most efficient man (the koumbaro) or the maid of honor (the koumbara). This motion signifies the Holy Trinity and the belief that the couple's lives are being intertwined as one, with their joys and burdens shared similarly.

One of probably the most distinctive parts of a Greek marriage ceremony is the crowning of the bride and groom, referred to as the Stefana ceremony. Connected via a ribbon, these crowns symbolize the coming in combination of 2 people right into a unmarried unified entity. The crowns are blessings from God for a long, satisfied, and fruitful existence together. The priest puts the crowns upon the heads of the bride and groom, which are then swapped thrice to enhance the couple's team spirit.

Another vital custom comes to the Lambadia, or wedding candles. These candles are lit throughout the wedding ceremony and represent the sunshine of Christ, guiding the couple through their married life. It's believed that the flame symbolizes purity and the willingness of the couple to receive God's blessing. The Lambadia are regularly intricately embellished and can also be stored by means of the couple as a memento of their wedding day.

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