New year resolutions and celebration of New Year Eve: How did it all begin?
Everywhere in the world, New Year Eve is celebrated quite lavishly. It has become a tradition, globally. But why do we observe New Year's Eve? Isn't it just another day in the calendar? Yes, but there is more to it. Additionally, making resolutions is a tradition that goes hand in hand with celebrating New Year's Eve. Let's look at how the tradition of celebrating New Year's Eve and making resolutions began!
New Year celebrations originated in Egypt 5000 years ago
When you think of New Year Eve celebrations, images of the Times Square ball drop or fireworks come to your mind, right? Well, the custom of celebrating this day is not a new one. You might be surprised to learn that the tradition of New Year celebrations began in Egypt in 3000 BC! People back then, like now, celebrated the new year with food and drinks. The celebrations took place following the annual flood of the Nile River. The flooding meant the farmlands would be fertile for the rest of the year. Good reason to celebrate back in those times, don't you think? The celebrations were known as Wepet Renpet. The true credit for the tradition of ringing in the new year in January goes to the Romans who also observed the custom of making resolutions. In 153 BC, the Roman Senate declared that January 1st would mark the beginning of the new year, honouring the god Janus.
The Babylonians started the tradition of New Year resolutions
The custom of making new year resolutions is as old as the custom of welcoming the new year. It can be traced back over 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonian festival of Akitu. The Babylonians would crown a new king or declare loyalty to the current king during this festival. Citizens would swear to repay their debts and return borrowed goods. These are believed to be the first recorded evidence of new year resolutions. However, they celebrated the new year in March, according to the agricultural year. The Romans too, like the Babylonians, would make promises to their God Janus about maintaining good behaviour for the coming year. During the Middle Ages, knights would renew their chivalric vows by touching a live or roasted peacock! The peacock vow was a yearly contract signed at the end of the year. We've come a long way since then, thankfully! Let's look at how resolutions have evolved from then to now.
Evolution of the tradition of resolution
In the past, new year resolutions included making promises and offering sacrifices to gods, paying off debts, praying for harvests, swearing an oath to fight loyally in a war, and pledging service to the king. Moving forward, the term ‘New Year’s Resolution’ was first used in a Boston newspaper in 1813. Today, the resolutions are more self-centred, such as eating healthier, exercising more, keeping a daily journal, spending less money, and socialising, to name a few. This shift could be attributed to the development of civilization and lifestyle. However, the fundamental concept of making and following resolutions for self-improvement remains unchanged. According to one study, more than one-third of the population makes New Year resolutions. However, only 8% keep them, evidences suggest. Do you think you're in the 8%? Take a pen and paper and begin continuing this old tradition by making new resolutions and this time, following through with them!