Happy New Year! Here is to new beginnings, a fresh start, clean slate and a new page!
New Year celebrations and resolutions began as far back as 2,000 BC.
Ancient Babylonians were said to be the first to celebrate New Year's over 4,000 years ago although their new year began in March with the planting of crops. The 12 day festival of Akitu statues of the gods were paraded through the city streets, and rites were enacted to symbolize their victory over the forces of chaos. Through these rituals the Babylonians believed the world was symbolically cleansed and recreated by the gods in preparation for the new year and the return of spring. (History Channel)
For the Romans the month of January carried a significance. Its name was derived from the two-faced deity Janus, the god of change and beginnings.
4,000 years later we continue to bring in the new year with celebrations, resolutions and new beginnings.