History of New Year’s Resolutions
The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, around 4,000 years ago. They were also thought to have been the first to hold recorded celebrations in honour of the new year, but these took place mid-March, when the crops were planted.
During the 12-day religious festival Akitu, the Babylonians would crown a new king or reaffirm their loyalty to the reigning king. They would also make promises to the gods to pay their debts as well as returning objects they had borrowed. These promises were what we now consider as New Year’s resolutions.
Another similar practice was observed in ancient Rome, after the emperor Julius Caesar established 1st January as the beginning of a new year circa 46 B.C. January had special significance for Romans as it was named after Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches. Janus also symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, which was why Romans would offer sacrifices to the deity and make promises of good conduct for the coming year. Despite the traditional religious roots, New Year’s resolutions today are a mostly secular practice. Instead of making promises to the gods, most people make resolutions only to themselves to focus on self-improvement. Research has shown that 21% of Britons have said they will make a New Year’s resolution for 2023, compared to only 14% who say they made resolution for 2022.
Year of the Rabbit
This year, 2023, will be the year of the rabbit. The Lunar New Year is celebrated throughout many Asian cultures, among those Chinese, South Korean, Vietnamese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Filipino and Indonesian culture. Lunar New Year lasts from the new moon to the next full moon, and in 2023 it begins on Sunday 22nd January, and ends on Sunday 5th February.
Similarly to the Western New Year, Lunar New Year is also a chance to leave behind the troubles of the past year and improve upon the good luck that came their way. Some traditions include an obligatory spring cleaning, as it is seen to sweep away any ill-fortune from the previous year and to make way for good luck in the new year. Decorating their homes with the colour was also said to bring good luck, to denote prosperity and energy which wards off evil spirits and negativity.
On Lunar New Year’s Eve, people are also expected to be at home to celebrate the festival with their families, gathering for a large feast known as the reunion dinner. Exchanging red envelopes is also a tradition, where red envelopes filled with cash are given to children by older relatives.
In the Chinese Zodiac, there are 12 animals, each with its own attributes and characteristics. There are 12 animals which each coincide with the lunar calendar and fall in a 12 year cycle. The order of animals are:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig
For the rabbit, people born in this year are seen as caring, attentive to details and likely to follow rules. They are also thought to be successful in their careers and are good at making friends.
Wish everyone the best of luck, happiness, and success in this year of 2023!
Sienna, Head Girl
Photo Credit: Image by Aukje from Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/illustrations/new-year-2023-happy-map-background-7683256/
