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I've always thought new years day should be on 21st December because that's when the days start getting longer again. But I've just noticed that it's actually 1st Jan that the mornings start getting lighter again, in Europe at least, and I imagine most of the Northern hemisphere.
So although the day length in total starts getting longer on 21st Dec its not until Jan 1st that the mornings reverse and start getting lighter. In pre-Christian Rome, the day was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named, marking the start of new beginnings.
So I guess that's why the Romans made it Janus's day and why new year's day ended up being put where it is.
Happy Janus Day to all.
P.s - the Chinese were way off.
So although the day length in total starts getting longer on 21st Dec its not until Jan 1st that the mornings reverse and start getting lighter. In pre-Christian Rome, the day was dedicated to Janus, god of gateways and beginnings, for whom January is also named, marking the start of new beginnings.
So I guess that's why the Romans made it Janus's day and why new year's day ended up being put where it is.
Happy Janus Day to all.
P.s - the Chinese were way off.