It has its roots in a long-standing Roman tradition known as the Janus Feast. He was the deity of doors, passages, frames, beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, and doors. Since Janus was shown as having two opposing faces, this is also where the term January originates. Both faces had their gazes fixed on the future and the past, respectively.
Similar to this, every January 1 we reflect on the previous year and look ahead to the one that lies ahead.
To celebrate the new year, the Romans also made promises to Janus. The tradition of New Year’s resolutions stems from this ancient custom. On January 1, as the year began, it was customary to exchange cheerful words of good wishes. Shortly afterwards, on January 9, the rex sacrorum – a priesthood associated with the Roman Senate – offered the sacrifice of a ram to Janus.
