A History of the New Year Celebration
New Years Day Has Bounced Around a Bit Through the Years
The Romans continued to recognize late March as the beginning of the New Year. However in 46 BC Roman Emperor Julius Caesar decreed that January 1 would be the start of the New Year. January was named after the god Janus, who had two faces. With one face looking back and one looking forward, Caesar felt that this would be a good symbol of the New Year. Previous emperors had altered the calendar so much that Caesar had to extend the previous year to 445 days in order to have the new January 1st match the sun's cycle.
During the medieval times in Europe the Catholic Church felt that the celebration of the New Year on January 1 was a pagan influenced event. The Council of Tours in 567 declared the New Year to once again be in March, the time of the original Babylonian eleven day festival of spring.
The Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582, and once again New Years fell on January 1. While the Catholic countries of Europe used the new calendar immediately, the Protestants did not recognize the new system right away. The British and the American Colonies did not start using the Gregorian calendar until 1752.
Many of the traditions that are followed today also have their roots among the ancient peoples. The New Year's resolution can be traced back to the Babylonians. Apparently the most common resolution of a Babylonian farmer was to return the farming tools borrowed from a neighbor. The concept of a new born baby ushering the New Year can be found in Greek lore. An infant in a basket was paraded around by the Greeks in honor of their god Dionysus, who was the god of wine and fertility.
The day on which the New Year is celebrated has seen many changes throughout the centuries. However, one aspect of humankind has remained the same. All peoples have celebrated in one way or another the beginning of yet another year in the cycle of their lives.
Sources:
Wilstar.com
SimpletoRemember.com
Livius.org
Published by Major Jester
Happily married baby boomer with a beautiful wife, 5 children, 3 grandchildren: the best family one could ever hope for. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentYes, pagan. Funny how many professing Christians don't mind celebrating. The key to identification is that pagans worship the creation, rather than the creator.
Celebrating new year used to be important cause life was tuff and making it another year was indeed an accomplishment. Good work Maj!