Greece’s bizarre custom: Spitting on Bride for good luck

From sawing logs to stealing shoes, there are some weird and wonderful wedding traditions around the world. The ‘Spitting on Bride’ is one of the unusual customs of the world.

10th of January 2024

Spitting at Greek Weddings. (Credits: Wedded Wonderland)

From sawing logs to stealing shoes, there are some weird and wonderful wedding traditions around the world. The ‘Spitting on the Bride’ is one of the unusual customs of the world.

Spitting on someone is the worst thing ever, and anyone who spits on you is sure to get a good scolding if you control yourself enough to not beat the crap out of that person.

While the entire world considers spitting on someone to be an insult, Greece has seen the bright side of it, which means that spitting casts off evil.

Spitting On the Bride in Greece

As the world becomes more modern and solutions are sought everywhere, the guests do not spit on the newlywed bride. Rather, the process has become more symbolic, where the guests make spitting sounds.

As this tradition seems to be bizarre, it is quite common among Greeks, and the same is done for Baptism as well.

Guests Of course, not literally, but by pretending that spitting on the happy couple may protect them from the evil spirit as the Groom walks down the aisle as a married couple for the first time.

‘Spitting’ on the couple is traditionally done three times as the people of Greece believe that this ritual brings good luck in the lives of newlywed couples.

Moreover, the guests also throw rice to promote infertility and happiness for the newlyweds.

It is to be noted that the Greeks believe that spitting drives away bad luck, misfortune and the devil. It sounds crazy, but it’s almost like saying to the devil, “No, there’s nothing of value here. There’s nothing to see here.”

Additionally, marriage in Greece is an amazing adventure. During the traditional Greek wedding, one may witness a lot of dancing, plenty of guests, so much food and loud laughter.