LITMIR.BIZ

      The Romans gave each other New Year gifts of branches from sacred trees. In later years, they gave gold-covered nuts or coins imprinted with pictures of Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. January was named after Janus, who had two faces—one looking forward and the other looking backward. By the Roman Republican calendar, the year began on March 1; after 153 BC the official date was January 1 and this was confirmed by the Julian calendar in 46 BC, named after Julius Caesar. It was at the Council of Tours in 567 that the Roman Catholic Church abolished January 1 in favor of different days during the subsequent centuries (March 1st; March 25; December 25, and Easter). For most of the following millennium, March 25 was used and also called Lady Day in honor of Mary and the annunciation (we noted in the preceding chapter, the link between March 25 and December 25). The Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, was introduced in 1582 as it was more accurate (only one day out every 3,236 years, while the Julian calendar was one day out every 128 years). It was immediately adopted by Roman Catholic nations. Countries with less Roman Catholic influence gradually followed suit: Scotland in 1660; Germany and Denmark about 1700; England in 1752; Sweden in 1753; and Russia in 1918. This new calendar changed the commencement of the New Year back to January 1.

      Kalends, the Roman New Year festival, began on January 1 and lasted until January 5. The Romans celebrated Kalends in much the same way they did Saturnalia. Early Christian writers condemned the carousing crowds. Nevertheless, some of the customs associated with Kalends were eventually absorbed into the celebration of Christmas. Called “kalends” (or “calends”), the Romans also used this word to refer to the first day of each month, within the framework of lunar phases. On this day, Roman officials posted the calendar for each month. The English word “calendar” comes from the old Latin term “kalends.” New consuls were inducted into office and for at least three days high festival was kept. The houses were decorated with lights and greenery, another precursor to the modern Christmas tree. As at the Saturnalia, masters drank and gambled with slaves. Vota, or solemn wishes of prosperity for the Emperor during the New Year, were customary and the people and the Senate were even expected to present gifts of money to him.

      Emperor Caligula (ruling 37–41 AD) excited much disgust by publishing an edict requiring these gifts and by standing on the porch of his palace to receive them in person. Such gifts, not only presented to the emperor, but frequently exchanged between private persons were called strenae, a name still surviving in the French étrennes (New Years presents). A sprig of greenery taken from the groves dedicated to the goddess Strenia was considered a very traditional gift. Later, the Romans added cakes and honey (symbolizing a sweet New Year), and coins (symbolizing wealth) to the roster of traditional New Year gifts. Feasting, drinking, and merrymaking rounded out the festival. Kalends Eve celebrations resembled our own New Year’s Eve festivities. A fourth century Greek scholar named Libanius (314–393) wrote that almost everyone stayed up on Kalends Eve to usher in the New Year with drinking, singing, and revelry. Instead of spending the evening at home, crowds of people roamed through the streets, returning to their houses near daybreak to sleep off the night’s overindulgence. Sound familiar?

      It will, therefore, be no surprise to discover that the present day Scottish traditions of Hogmany, staying up to “the bells” at midnight and New Year’s Day feasts, are no modern invention but mirror very closely the pagan practices in Roman times.