New Year's Day, January 1st, is a Bank Holiday in Greece. The day of Saint Basil (one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church) or Agios Vassilis and Father Christmas. Traditionally the people of Crete hang wild onions (Squill or Sea Onion) in their homes on New Year’s Day. The wild onions that grow on the island of Crete are poisonous and may cause skin rash. When uprooted, the wild onion are still able to grow new leaves and flowers. This rare quality signifies great natural power and makes them special for the people of Crete. It is an ancient good luck custom which has been around since the 6 th century B.C., but it has more or less been abandoned nowadays.
