Botides

What the custom involves

At eleven in the morning, the Vespers of the Resurrection concludes at the Holy Metropolitan Church. When the Metropolitan chants the opening verse, all city bells ring out. Residents then throw clay jugs filled with water from their windows onto the street below. These pots, known as botides, feature narrow mouths, two side handles, and red ribbons. Windows are often draped in red cloth, the island's symbolic color. The throwing happens mainly around the Liston and the Old Town.

Origins and meanings

The practice likely began during Venetian rule when Catholics smashed pots on New Year's Day for good fortune. Orthodox residents later moved the event to Easter. Some see the noise as representing the earthquake described in the Gospel at the moment of Christ's rising. Others view it as a symbol of life overcoming death or a remnant of ancient Greek fertility rites. Collecting the broken clay pieces is believed to bring prosperity and luck to the household.

Music and local traditions

Local philharmonic bands play joyful marches like Oi Grekoi immediately after the pots are thrown. In the Pinia area, residents revive the mastela custom. A wooden barrel decorated with myrtles sits in the street where people toss coins while making wishes. At the signal of the Resurrection, a volunteer jumps into the barrel to collect the money, getting splashed by the water inside.

How Botides is kept

Residents prepare clay pots filled with water and decorate their windows with red cloth. At 11:00 AM on Holy Saturday, they wait for the Metropolitan's chant. Upon hearing the signal, they throw the pots from their balconies onto the streets of the Liston and Old Town. Afterward, they collect the fragments for good luck. Philharmonic bands then march through the streets playing lively music.

When and where

It occurs annually on Holy Saturday at 11:00 AM, immediately following the Vespers of the Resurrection service.

The custom is unique to the City of Corfu in Greece. It takes place primarily in the streets surrounding the Liston promenade and the historic Old Town.

What Botides means

The smashing represents the earthquake at Christ's resurrection and the victory of life over death. It also echoes the biblical verse about shattering vessels. Collecting the shards brings good luck and prosperity, replacing misfortune with new blessings.

Who takes part

• The Metropolitan: Chants the verse that signals the start of the throwing
• Residents: Throw water-filled pots from their balconies
• Philharmonic bands: Play joyful marches through the streets
• Volunteer: Jumps into the mastela barrel to collect coins

If you are a guest

Guests can watch the pot throwing from the streets of the Liston or Old Town. They may listen to the philharmonic bands playing nearby. If visiting the Pinia area, they can toss coins into the mastela barrel while making a wish.

Then and now

The mastela custom has been revived in recent years in the Pinia area. The Organization of Corfiot Events organizes this part of the celebration, inviting volunteers to jump into the water-filled barrel.

On the wedding table

Symbols: Water and washing The colour red

Questions people ask about Botides

See also

KalamatianosA popular Greek folk dance performed in a chain at weddings and social gatheringsTsamikoA traditional Greek folk dance performed at weddings and festivals, known for its slow tempo and acrobatic leaps.LoutrophorosAn ancient Greek vessel that carried water for a bride's bath or marked an unmarried death.PentozaliThe vigorous Cretan war dance of high jumps and improvisation that marks the wedding procession.

Good reading and sources

• Botides on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.