Cypriot Wedding Traditions
Plate Breaking
Smashing plates at a Greek wedding is a symbolic expression of joy, a wish for abundance, and a means to ward off evil spirits from the newlyweds. Breaking whole objects symbolizes leaving behind past hardships and signaling new beginnings for the newly married couple. It expresses an overflow of joy or intense spirit, known in Greek as "kefi." Breaking the dishware signifies the end of the couple's old life and the start of their new journey together, showing a disregard for material things compared to love and family. The loud shattering noise was originally believed to create a spiritual "camouflage," confusing and scaring away evil spirits that might want to harm the couple’s happiness.
The Kalamatiano
here is a thing to teach you
Jordan Almonds
In Greek weddings, offering Jordan almonds (koufeta) in odd numbers (most traditionally five) is intentional. Because odd numbers cannot be evenly divided, they symbolize the indivisible bond of the newlyweds and how the couple will share everything and remain united for life. The raw almond itself has a bitter taste, representing the hardships of life, while the sweet candy coating represents the sweetness of the marriage. The combination symbolizes the hope that the couple’s life together will be sweeter than it is bitter. According to Greek superstition, if an unmarried guest takes a packet of these almonds home and places it under their pillow, they will dream about the person they are destined to marry. "Five sugared almonds for each guest to eat, to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet, five wishes for the new couple; health, wealth, happiness, family, and a long life."
