Who Smashes Plates At Weddings?

Plate smashing is a time-honored Greek wedding custom that originated in the 60s and 70s, involving the intentional smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. The practice was believed to bring good fortune and harmony to newlyweds. Plates are broken at weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions as a way to let loose and have fun. Some people believe that breaking plates is a way of showing wealth, while others see it as an expression of sadness and remembrance for the destruction of Jewish temples.

The origins of breaking a glass at a wedding are unclear, but many cultures share the practice of breaking something, such as a plate, upon the confirmation of a contract. Some believe that the noise made by the shattering of a glass or plate scares away evil spirits determined to mar the joyous occasion. Many rabbis explain that the breaking of a glass is a token reminder that although the Temple still stands, building a Jewish home with one’s partner is likened to creating a mini version of the Temple for G-d.

German wedding traditions include breaking plates in praise of a musician or dancer, breaking plates during artistic performances, and breaking plates at wedding receptions to ward off bad luck or evil spirits. Plate smashing is also seen at Greek restaurants and wedding receptions, symbolizing a new beginning and moving from their old lives to a new life.

What does breaking a plate Symbolise?

The plate is smashed, signifying the end of life. Smashing the plate is also considered an act of mourning. Smashing plates is done in joy as well as to mourn. It was once believed that a celebration could draw the attention of some bad energy, or even worse, some nasty spirits.

What ethnicity breaks plates at weddings?

Plate smashing is a Greek custom that peaked in the 60s and 70s, involving the intentional smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. In popular culture, the practice is most typical of foreigners stereotypical image of Greece, and while it occurs more rarely today, it continues to be seen on certain occasions, such as weddings, although plaster plates are more likely to be used.

History in Greeceedit. Modern timesedit. The practice was started by an entrepreneur, Babavea, who opened the Folies dété cabaret at the end of Herodes Atticus.1 During the junta period, plate breaking was fought and banned as a separate offense by law punishable by up to 5 years in prison.2 Despite the junta ban, the breakup continued and many celebrities were referred to the prosecutor, such as the ex-husband of Zoe Laskari, Petros Koutoumanos, Aristotle Onassis and Omar Sharif. The junta finally issued a special opinion, which ruled that there was no offense if the breaking of dishes was accompanied by the acceptance of the behavior of the person doing this act by those present.2.

Today there are still patrons who let off steam by smashing plates in nightclubs and other objects. The only gypsum plate manufacturing industry operating today in Greece is that of Gentzos Constantinos, based in Diavata, Thessaloniki.3 The practice of breaking seems to have been replaced by throwing flowers towards the stage where the artist is singing, which was first started by Marinella.2.

Who breaks plates when they get married?

One custom, although no longer commonplace, is the Greek wedding tradition of smashing plates. You may have seen this in movies or in Greek restaurants, although that is usually done to appeal to tourists. Historically, however, it was a real thing. The couple breaks plates to symbolize their new beginning.

Why do Italians break plates at weddings?

The Night Before. For good luck, brides traditionally spend the night before the wedding at her parents home. Like many traditions worldwide, it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, but in Italian custom, it is bad luck for the bride to look at herself in the mirror before she is dressed in her wedding dress! In some traditions, she is also required to remove a glove or shoe before she can look at herself in the mirror.In the morning, before going to the church, there is a custom of plate-breaking. A ceramic or glass plate is filled with flowers, candy, and rice, which is then broken by neighbors near the brides feet. She steps over this broken plate and exits the house. It is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the newlyweds.

Save the Date. The date of the wedding is an important element in Italian superstition. According to Italy Magazine, “Sunday is still considered to be the best day to marry for luck, prosperity, and fertility. It used to be bad luck to marry on a Friday, as it was first thought that this was the day evil spirits were created. Tuesday (Martedi) used to be thought of as a bad day for marriage: Marte comes from the God of War, and it was believed that couples who married on this day would spend each day of their lives together fighting.”

Rain on a Wedding Day. Most of us would now think of rain as bad luck for a wedding – especially if its an outdoor affair. But it doesnt have to be, if you plan your wedding reception with us at Cucina Toscana!Rain on a wedding day is good luck in Italian superstition. It is believed that rain symbolizes fertility and cleansing. It is also believed that rain is tied to luck and an abundance of love. Italian superstitions of rain believe that it is a “raining down of luck on your future together,” and could grow “an abundance of love.” This superstition may have been derived from agricultural regions, tying rain to an abundance of crops.

What religion breaks glass at wedding?

The Jewish wedding ceremony ends with a famous bang. Stomping on a glass is one of the best-known features of Jewish weddings. Traditionally, the groom did the deed; today the couple often share the honor/pleasure, smashing one or two napkin-wrapped glasses.

The Jewish wedding ceremony ends with a famous bang. Stomping on a glass is one of the best-known features of Jewish weddings. Traditionally, the groom did the deed; today the couple often share the honor/pleasure, smashing one or two napkin-wrapped glasses.

Few Jewish symbols have a single explanation, and this one is downright kaleidoscopic. The custom dates back to the writing of the Talmud:

Mar bar Rabina made a marriage feast for his son. He observed that the rabbis present were very gay. So he seized an expensive goblet worth 400 zuzim and broke it before them. Thus he made them sober. (Berakhot 5:2 )

Which culture breaks plates?

Plate smashing is a Greek custom involving the smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. The custom probably derives from an ancient practice of ritually “killing” plates on happy occasions, as a means of celebration.

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What do people say when they break plates?

What people say. Breaking plates is often accompanied with ‘opa! which means oops, and this is done with great cheer and joy.

Purpose. Smashing the plates is considered to ward off evil spirits and energy on a joyous occasion.

Symbolic ritual. A plate is smashed at the graveyard if someone has departed. This means life has ended and is also associated with the act of mourning.

What is the myth of breaking a plate?

• How is the custom of breaking plates related to good luck?. Smashing plates symbolizes new beginnings, as well as endings. At weddings, it meant that the couple was throwing away their old life and starting a new life together. Breaking a plate was also done at funerals.
• Smashing plates was meant to ward off evil spirits. Research tells me that it was believed that the noise of breaking plates would keep the demons away because they would be deceived into believing that the people involved were angry and upset — instead of celebrating. Of course, the evil spirits would not wish to disrupt an event that was already making people angry, while they might interfere with a happy celebration. There is also the school of thought that I tend to lean towards- that loud noises repel evil spirits. I go with that theory, that the crashing of plates, noisemakers at New Years Eve, and firecrackers at Chinese New Year are meant to scare away evil spirits.
• Smashing plates symbolizes kefi (roughly translates to good times and the joy of living) and abundance. The custom is usually accompanied by festive music, dancing and shouting the word Opa to express excitement and good cheer. Opa is also used to express shock or surprise.

Is there a particular superstition that fascinates you? Please let me know in the comments. I would love to know.

Why do people break plates at a wedding?

“People smashed porcelain, stoneware and pottery back in medieval times as opposed to glass, which was considered good luck and owned by the wealthy,” she said. “The noise from the broken plates was to ward off evil spirits. The more shards, the more luck the couple would experience.”

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For Luck in Love, Couples Are Breaking Plates (On Purpose)

What is the tradition of smashing plates?

The plate is smashed, signifying the end of life. Smashing the plate is also considered an act of mourning. Smashing plates is done in joy as well as to mourn. It was once believed that a celebration could draw the attention of some bad energy, or even worse, some nasty spirits.

The sound of a plate smashing, shattering loudly as it meets the floor, is distinctive and tends to turn heads in a restaurant. Most of us, startled, “think, Oh No!” an unfortunate accident has occurred.

But when plates shatter on the floor at a gathering of Greeks – whether it is at a taverna, a wedding, a baptism, or an intimate party, smashing those plates is no accident.

Breaking plates is done purposely, accompanied by music, in celebration, and you will often hear the word “Opa!” expressed with great joie de vivre when it happens.