The Symbolism Behind the New Year

Once again, a new year is rising. It’s a period of celebration, reflection, and establishing new goals. Do you know why? What does it really mean? It is essential to understand the symbolism of things, isn’t it?

Our society has rituals. However, we pass through them without knowing what they mean. Most of us don’t know the meaning of celebrations like Christmas and the New Year. We usually celebrate them because our parents celebrated, their grandparents celebrated, etc.

New year meaning

I will talk mainly about the Western New Year, based on 12 months calendar from January to December. For the Chinese, Indians, and many other cultures, the new year is in another moment and has different symbolism.

But our new year is based on the Greco-Roman fundamentals; it happens on the passage from December 31st to January 1st. It’s a ritual in honor of the Roman god Janus.

Janus, in Roman mythology, is the god of beginnings, restarts, and endings. The god of transitions, decisions, and the passage from the old to the new.

The month of January is called January because of Janus.

Roman mythology: Janus

Janus is represented as a two-sided figure. One that always looks back and another that looks forward. That is to say, one side is looking to the past, and the other is looking to the future.

In the transition between past and future is the present, the now.

Janus celebrates the past that it has lived without attachments and dives into the future without worries. It teaches us to look to the past without guilt, anguish, regrets, and pride. We simply have to be grateful for all our experiences that led us to be who we are!

Every event of life is symbolic; every moment has something to teach. Be grateful for the instructions life provides, and let’s open the door to the new year!

Here and now

Your life begins now, stop saying: next year I will start this, on the following Monday I’ll start that. Do it now.

Janus reveals that in the present lies your personal power. What you can do can only be done now.

I invite you to forgive all you fear, all you refused to live, what you don’t accept.

When I throw light into my shadows, I reveal my true essence.

Today you can change and transition to a new year, a year of health, joy, love, and wisdom. A year where you will be 100% focused on the present moment.

Live your essence, and let every day be a happy new year!

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