I can’t help but feel that we have got it all wrong. Surely the new year should start in March when the spring arrives? January is a baleful, unsociable month and you don’t see lambs gambolling around celebrating the coming of the new year, do you? In fact anyone sensible will hibernate until the end of February at least.
The early Roman calendar had it sorted. Their year began in March and consisted of ten months with a total of 304 days. The Etruscans wanted to start the year in January because of their god Janus, who was god of doorways and seasonal events. It seemed to them a great way to start off the new year, in the month of January, because the doorway symbolised the entrance to the new year, leaving the old one behind.
The ancient Romans had a god or goddess for everything: including Poseidon, god of the sea and Venus, goddess of love and beauty. And then there is Janus, a lesser-known god, but arguably one of the most important.
What is unusual about the god Janus is his iconic image. As the god of transitions and dualities, Janus is portrayed with two heads: one facing the past, and one facing the future. He also holds a key in his right hand, which symbolises his protection of doors and thresholds. The symbol of the key also signified that a traveller has come to find safe harbour or trade goods in peace.
So we are stuck with the new year in January and must make the best of this misanthropic month. So we at Rye News wish all our readers safe travelling, safe harbours and peaceful times ahead in 2023.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .
I look upon the winter months as a period of re- charging my batteries, of catching up with those jobs that I never seem to get time for otherwise.
With Janus we say goodbye to the year past & look towards a new year with hope but my favourite season of spring definitely signals the start of new life & beginnings, with lambs, daffodils & all things bright.