Vintage engraving of Janus
The custom of making New Year’s resolutions is much older than gym memberships and diet plans — several thousand years older, in fact.
Around 2000 B.C., the Babylonians celebrated Akitu, a 12-day festival marking the new year at the spring equinox. During this time, they made promises to their gods, such as to repay debts or to return borrowed items, to secure divine favor for the following year.
Centuries later, the Romans adopted the practice, shifting the calendar to begin on Jan. 1 in 46 B.C. under Julius Caesar’s reforms. January was dedicated to Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings, who symbolized looking back at the past and forward to the future. Romans would make vows of good conduct and loyalty to Janus at the start of each year.
In the Middle Ages, knights took the “peacock vow” each January, recommitting themselves to the ideals of chivalry. By the 18th century, resolutions had become more secular, with individuals pledging moral improvement or personal discipline.
Today, resolutions are a tradition followed around the world and often focus on self-improvement goals relating to health, finances or relationships. While studies show many resolutions fade within weeks, the enduring appeal lies in the symbolic fresh start. The desire to begin again each year reflects a universal human impulse toward renewal.