The first custom to take place with the advent of the New Year in Greece is called “podariko” (from the root pod-, or foot), which equals to what the Northern British and the Scottish call “first foot”. According to tradition, it is believed that the first person to enter the house on New Year’s Eve brings either good luck or bad luck. Many households to this day keep this tradition and specially select who enters first into their house.
To have a lucky and good year, the person that enters the house first must be a loving and lucky one. The best one for the “podariko” would be a little child, since they are considered to be the best omen, with their innocence, pure hearts and honesty.
Most families in Greece make sure that the first person to enter their house is a relative or a friend or even the youngest member of the family, who gets outside the house just before the clock strikes midnight and then crosses the threshold again. In fact, it is strongly believed that this “first step” into the house and into the New Year must be made with the right foot, so as for happiness and prosperity to bless the house. For centuries, the right side (the right foot in our case) has been considered the lucky one, in comparison to the left one, which is deemed as malevolent and unlucky (or else sinister).
Traditions Around Greece
In some regions of Greece, the “podariko” is made by the housemaster himself or by the first born son.
According to author George A. Megas, this is how the “podariko” is being practiced on the island of Amorgos, where the man of the house returned from the church holding a small icon in his hands. He would enter the house by taking two steps in and saying “Good in!” and then take three steps back out of the house saying “Evil out!”. This process had to be repeated thrice and then he would repeat the “Good in!” phrase and break a pomegranate inside the house. Afterwards, all members of the family would eat a spoon full of honey “to have a sweet year”.
In Karpathos, in the past, people would take a white dog outside their houses in the early morning and feed him baklava. In this way, the family members would become strong and healthy.
In case the family has no children or the children are not at home during holidays, most people prefer to have their “podariko” performed by a young child of their closest environment. In any case, the person who does the “podariko” must get some money for their “act of blessing”, depending on the finances of the family.
The custom of the first person entering the house is spread throughout Europe and is still being practiced. It is known by different names but its purpose remains the same: to bring the family a year full of prosperity, happiness and health.
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