George Boyle
Breaking plates is a Greek custom that is often performed during celebratory occasions such as weddings. The tradition is believed to have originated from a 1960s film called Never on Sunday, although some sources suggest that it dates back to ancient times when breaking plates was a hobby for the wealthy. Today, the act of breaking plates is considered to be an expression of joy and heritage, and is also believed to ward off evil spirits and energy on a joyous occasion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | The tradition of breaking plates at weddings in Greece became popular after the release of the 1960s film "Never on Sunday". However, the history of breaking plates goes back to ancient times when it was a hobby for the wealthy. |
| Symbolism | Breaking plates symbolises joy, abundance, happiness, and celebration. It is also believed to ward off evil spirits and energy on a joyous occasion. |
| Other Occasions | Plate smashing is not limited to weddings and can occur during other celebratory occasions, such as parties with dancing and drinking. |
| Other Cultures | Plate breaking is not unique to Greek culture. For example, in China, glasses are broken at weddings to symbolise good luck, and in traditional Jewish weddings, a wine glass is broken to commemorate the destruction of the Jewish temples. |
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What You'll Learn
The tradition is believed to ward off evil spirits and energy on a joyous occasion
Plate-breaking is a Greek custom that gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is often performed during celebratory occasions, such as weddings. The tradition is believed to ward off evil spirits and negative energy on a joyous occasion.
Greeks believe that a joyous occasion or celebration can attract evil spirits, so to protect themselves from any potential havoc, they break plates to indicate that such a violent and aggressive act means no celebration can take place. The noise created by the breaking of the plates is believed to disguise the happy event and thus ward off any evil spirits. This belief is not unique to Greek culture, as other cultures also create noise or sounds during celebrations to ward off evil spirits.
The tradition of plate-breaking is believed to have originated from ancient times when breaking plates was a hobby for the wealthy. During parties, plates or glasses would be thrown into the fire after a banquet instead of being reused. The act of breaking plates celebrated abundance, as it showcased that the plates could be easily replaced.
Over time, the tradition of plate-breaking has evolved and is now often associated with joy and happiness. In modern times, plate-breaking is sometimes used as a marketing strategy by Greek restaurants to attract tourists and diners. Additionally, some people break plates as a commemorative act during special events or to draw attention to a particular cause or strike.
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It is also done as an act of joy and celebration
Plate-breaking is a Greek custom that gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and is often performed during celebratory occasions such as weddings. It is believed to have originated from a 1960s film called 'Never on Sunday', where people were seen breaking plates during a dance. The practice is also said to have started as a hobby for the wealthy, who would throw plates and glasses into the fire during parties instead of reusing them.
Breaking plates at weddings is considered an act of joy and celebration, with Greeks believing that joyous occasions can also attract evil spirits. Smashing plates is thought to ward off these spirits, with the violent and aggressive act indicating that no celebration is taking place. The act of creating noise to ward off evil spirits is common in cultures worldwide. The plate-breaking tradition is also associated with abundance and happiness, signifying that the hosts have plenty of food and dishes to waste.
The tradition of plate-breaking is not unique to Greek culture. For instance, in China, glasses are broken at weddings to symbolise good luck and a long-lasting marriage. Similarly, in traditional Jewish weddings, a wine glass is broken to commemorate the destruction of the Jewish temples.
While plate-breaking is a dying tradition in Greece due to its perceived wastefulness, it continues to be practised occasionally, with plaster plates being more commonly used.
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Plate smashing is not unique to Greek culture
The tradition of plate smashing is also found in other cultures and contexts. For example, in some cultures, breaking objects, including plates, is done to ward off evil spirits or to bring good luck. This practice is sometimes associated with superstitious beliefs and can be seen as a symbolic gesture to rid oneself of negative energy or influences.
In addition, plate smashing can be a form of entertainment or a way to express strong emotions. In certain cultures, breaking plates may be done during celebrations or parties as a fun activity, similar to how it is portrayed in the movie "Never on Sunday," which contributed to the normalization of plate smashing in Greek culture.
Furthermore, plate smashing can be a form of protest or rebellion. In some contexts, breaking plates may be a way to express anger, frustration, or dissatisfaction with a particular situation or authority. This act of destruction can be a powerful statement or a means to release pent-up emotions.
While Greece may be famously associated with plate smashing, it is important to recognize that this tradition has been adapted and incorporated into various cultures worldwide, each with its unique significance and variations.
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The tradition was popularised by the 1960s film 'Never on Sunday'
Plate-smashing is a Greek custom that involves intentionally breaking plates or glasses during celebrations, most commonly at weddings. The tradition is said to have been popularised by the 1960 film "Never on Sunday", a Greek romantic comedy written, directed by, and starring Jules Dassin. The film also starred Melina Mercouri as Ilya, a self-employed, free-spirited prostitute who lives in the port of Piraeus in Greece, and Dassin as Homer Thrace, an American tourist and classical scholar.
In one scene of the film, plates are smashed during a dance, and this is believed to have inspired the tradition as people embraced the idea of breaking plates as a joyous act. The practice of plate-smashing is thought to have peaked in the 1960s and 1970s, with the film "Never on Sunday" playing a significant role in its popularisation during that time.
The film's impact extended beyond popularising a tradition, as it also left a lasting impression on cinema and popular culture. The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Manos Hadjidakis' score, and Mercouri won the award for Best Actress at the 1960 Cannes Film Festival. The film was praised for its superb performances and its delightful capture of the energy and life force of Greece.
While plate-smashing may have been inspired by a light-hearted moment in "Never on Sunday", the tradition is rooted in the belief that breaking plates wards off evil spirits and energy during joyous occasions. This belief stems from the idea that celebrations can attract evil spirits, and the violent act of plate-smashing serves as a symbolic gesture to ward off any negative influences.
Today, plate-smashing at Greek weddings is often accompanied by the exclamation "Opa!", which means "oops" in Greek, and is done with great cheer and joy. While the tradition has evolved and become less common, it continues to be practised at weddings and other celebrations, with plaster plates often used as a safer alternative.
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Plate smashing is a dying tradition in Greece
Plate smashing is a Greek custom that involves intentionally breaking plates or glasses during celebrations, including weddings. While it is considered a dying tradition in Greece, it once enjoyed popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, partly due to its depiction in the 1960s film "Never on Sunday."
The practice of plate smashing is believed to have originated in ancient times when the wealthy would throw plates or glasses into the fire after a banquet instead of reusing them, celebrating their abundance and the ability to easily replace these items. In modern times, plate smashing has been associated with happiness, celebration, and an expression of joy, particularly during weddings. Greeks believe that joyous occasions can attract evil spirits, and the act of plate smashing is thought to ward off these negative energies, with the loud noise serving as a form of camouflage to indicate that no celebration is taking place.
However, plate smashing has faced opposition and was even banned by law during the junta period, punishable by up to five years in prison. Despite this ban, the tradition persisted, and the junta ultimately issued a special opinion stating that there was no offense if the plate-breaking was accompanied by the acceptance of the breakage.
Today, plate smashing is less frequently practiced in Greece, and when it does occur, plaster plates are often used instead of ceramic ones. While some individuals continue to embrace this tradition as a cherished part of Greek heritage, others view it as a wasteful and outdated custom.
As the tradition fades, alternative expressions of celebration in Greek culture, such as the concept of "kefi," are taking precedence. "Kefi" embodies the lively Greek way of life characterized by moderate drinking, dancing, and joyous gatherings.
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Frequently asked questions
Breaking plates at weddings is a Greek tradition symbolizing joy and heritage. It is believed that the act of breaking plates wards off evil spirits and energy on a joyous occasion.
The history of breaking plates goes back to ancient times when it was a hobby for the wealthy. During parties, plates or glasses would be thrown into the fire after a banquet instead of being reused.
No, plate-breaking is not unique to Greek culture. For example, in China, glasses are broken at weddings to symbolize good luck and a long-lasting marriage for the couple. Similarly, at traditional Jewish weddings, a wine glass is broken to commemorate the destruction of the Jewish temples.
Plate-breaking gained worldwide popularity due to a 1960s film titled "Never on Sunday," which depicted people happily breaking plates during a dance.
Plate-smashing in Greece peaked in the 1960s and 1970s. While it occurs more rarely today, it is still practiced on certain occasions, such as weddings, often using plaster plates.
