How did January 1 become the beginning of the New Year?

New Year is a fresh start for every individual, motivating them to become a better version of themselves in the coming year and achieve all the goals that were not attained the past year. It signifies not to look back and move forward, holding no regrets.

We did not always celebrate the New Year on January 1 but on March 1. In fact, till 700 B.C. there was no month as 'January,' it was then in 153 B.C. when January 1 was declared the new year in Rome. But people did not strictly believe it and continued celebrating March 1 as new year's day. After introducing the solar-based calendar by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C., January 1 again became the first day of the year, which was abolished in medieval Europe. And finally, in 1582, the Gregorian calendar reformed January 1 as New Year. However, it was adopted by the British empire and American colonies almost after two centuries. To this day, not all cultures (especially Asian cultures following the Lunar Calendar) celebrate the new year on January 1.

Roman Mythology

Mars was the son of Jupiter and Juno. A myth describes how Jupiter gave birth to Minerva (Goddess of wisdom and justice) from his mind. To restore the balance, Juno got the inspiration to do the same and took advice from Goddess Flora. Being a goddess of flowers, Flora got a magic flower and impregnated Juno by touching the flower to her belly. On the first day of March, Mars was born to Juno. Ovid, in his poetic work, explained how Romans celebrated the first day of Mars as a festival named Matronalia to honour Juno as a goddess of childbirth. That day was also the day of the birth of Mars. Thus started the tradition of celebrating the new year on March 1.

Janus, the Roman God who is depicted having two faces, is the God of the beginning, gates, transitions, and endings. The month of January is named after Janus. There is a myth that describes how Janus saved the Sabine women of Rome from being kidnapped by the founder, Romulus. He used volcanic hot springs on the kidnappers, who were buried under ash and boiling water.

Janus was treated as the God of heaven's gates, and sometimes as God of gods. Romans considered the first day of January an auspicious day to honour Janus.

Babylon Mythology

The Enuma Elish is the myth that tells the story of God Marduk's victory over chaos and his creation of the world. Marduk defeated his female rival Tiamat and created heaven and earth from her carcass. Later, Marduk consulted God Ea (god of wisdom) with the idea of creating human beings. Ea created the first human Lullu to help the gods with maintaining and organisational works. Since then a feast festival Akitu has been celebrated in Babylon in the month of April to appreciate the creation.

Russian Mythology

Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost or Morozko is the Santa Claus of Russia who delivers gifts on the eve of New Year to the well-behaved kids. His roots lie in Slavic mythology. He has a long beard, usually wears a full-body length blue-coloured or red-coloured gown and keeps a magic stick with him. Snegurochka is his granddaughter, who accompanies him. She is also known as Snow Maiden and wears a crown made of snowflakes.

Japanese Mythology

In a small town of Japan, named Oga, there is a myth that tells the tale of the demon 'Namahage.' Emperor Han brought five demons to the village who abducted the women and stole the crops. Villagers told them that they would supply the crops and send the women to them every year if they would construct 1000 stairs in a night but if they fail, they will leave the village for good. The demons agreed to the terms and started the construction. But humans, as cunning they are, asked a fellow villager to imitate the rooster just when the demons made the 999th step. With the fear of daylight, the demons returned back to the mountain.

Egyptian Mythology

The Ancient Egyptians used to celebrate the New Year with several festivals to commemorate the passage of time, to show their gratitude, and to pray for the Nile's file to continue. The first festival, the Wepet-Renpet Festival was celebrated during the first month in the ancient Egyptian calendar and during this time, Ancient Egyptians would observe the sky and look for the brightest star (Sirius). Because with its return, the festivities would begin as it signified the beginning of the New Year and the return of the Nile's flood, an integral part of the life of Ancient Egyptians and their agriculture. New Year's Day itself was a royal celebration called the Nehebkau feast, after the god whose magic had brought about this annual coming forth.

Right after the Wepet-Renpet Festival was the Wag Festival, one of the oldest festivals during this time. It was celebrated in the Old Kingdom and focused on the death and rebirth of Osiris, the souls who passed, as they made their way through judgment and the afterlife. A key tradition during this time was to create paper shrines and paper boats and sail them across the Nile, from the East bank to the West to represent the journey.

The Thoth Festival came next, and it had a fixed date, which was on the 18th day of the first month in the calendar and was usually celebrated with the Wag Festival. Thoth would be celebrated for his wisdom, knowledge, and responsibility during the judgment of the dead.

The Tekh Festival also referred to as the "Feast of Drunkenness," was dedicated to Hathor, a goddess who saved the human race. The legend foretells Ra wanting to teach the humans a lesson, so he sent Sekhmet to kill and destroy them, but after he felt he had gone too far, he ordered a large bowl of beer to be brought to Sekhmet. She drinks it, falls asleep, and this stops her destruction. When she would awaken, she would turn into Hathor, a merciful and gentle goddess and this would be when the festival started.

Finally, the Epagomenae are the last five days of the year, which are considered the "added" days as it would turn the Ancient Egyptian calendar from 360 to 365 days, similar to what we have today. It wasn't really a celebration, but the 5 days were still revered, observed with offerings, and rituals at temples. This would make way for the Wepet-Renpet Festival, where the celebrations would restart.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year 2022!