On the 1st of September the grape harvest begins and that is considered to be the beginning of the new year in the Orthodox calendar. So, early in the morning, the housewives will go out of the houses in order to come back in again.
Upon entering the house they will drop down a pomegranate and step on it. This brings good luck for the new year. Then they say loudly “Good morning house” and step inside with the right foot first. Water is then spilled in the four corners of the house and the landlady of the house says “As the water spills and rolls so will the good times roll in this house”.
According to Greek mythology pomegranates symbolize death and fertility, while ancient Chinese people believed that its juice contained a “concentrated soul” and could give immortality. Some researchers believe that Eve gave Adam a pomegranate instead of an apple. Mohamed said that the consuming of pomegranates relieves mankind from hate and envy. Homer, mentions the pomegranate tree as one of the most cultivated trees of his time and says that the king of the Faiakes, Alkinoos used to cultivate many pomegranate trees. The Babylonians believed that the eating of pomegranates before a battle would make them immortal and ancient Egyptians used to bury their dead together with pomegranates.
Modern science confirms that Pomegranates act against heart and encephalic diseases, high blood pressure, is a natural anti-aging medicine and increases fertility, as well as cleaning and protecting the skin.
One pomegranate contains 40% of the daily dose of vitamin C that an adult needs and maybe that is why pomegranates are good for those who work with mental tasks.