New Year’s resolutions started nearly 4,000 years ago.
The Babylonians celebrated their new year in mid-March, marking the start of the planting season. During this 12-day festival (Akitum), they made commitments to the gods such as returning borrowed farm equipment or paying debts in the hope of receiving good fortune. The Romans adopted this concept, naming the first month January after Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and endings, looking to the past and the future. Romans also pledged good behavior and loyalty to the emperor at the start of the year.
In the Middle Ages, knights celebrated the New Year with grand feasts, religious observances (Epiphany or Annunciation), giving small gifts, making music, playing dice or chess, and potentially the famous (though debated) Peacock Vow of swearing chivalric oaths over a roasted peacock …. all within a mix of feasting, community, and spiritual focus on survival and good fortune.
Christians later adopted the new year as a time for religious reflection. Over time, resolutions shifted from appeasing deities to personal self-improvement, focusing on secular goals like health and habits, a trend cemented by the modern calendar and widespread adoption of January 1st as New Years Day.
Happy New Year, my friends! Party like it’s 2000 BCE!
You read it here first, kids. 😎
NAR©2025
This is “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Fascinating evolution isn’t it. ✨ Poor peacock. 🦚 Thank you for sharing this interesting history.
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I know, I felt awful about that peacock! 🦚
Thank you, Michele. 😊
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Great post Nancy and I loved that track never heard it before great lyrics- have a wonderful new year full of joy and love 💕💕💕
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Thanks very much, Ange. It’s been lovely getting to know you. Happy New Year ❤️
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I appreciate you being a friend from across the big pond 💕💕💕
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Likewise❣️🥰
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No, I never knew that!
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Neither did I! Happy New Year, Glyn!
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That song brought me waaaay back. I wonder if resolutions made back at the cracking dawn of time had greater longevity & success than nowadays?
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From what I’ve read about the bacchanalia of ancient Rome, I kind of doubt it 🤣
Thanks, Liz. Great to play that song again.
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Thank 💜💜💜💜
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I 100% did not know about the Babylonian’s and their commitments. What a cool fact to have in your head!
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Thanks so much, Laura. I’m a trivia buff and it’s great fun for me to share these little tidbits. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Party like it’s 2000 BCE makes me think about Mesopotamian revelry written on cuneiform tablets.
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Oh man! Those were the days!
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4000 years of broken resolutions! Interesting!
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I’m guilty! 😆
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Likewise!
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An interesting topic to ponder, and such a pretty song. Happy New Year.
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I can’t remember a single resolution I kept. Can you? Thanks D.
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Yes, the one where I made a resolution not to make New Year’s Resolutions!
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😂 😂
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This goes along perfectly with my Tanka Tuesday post this week.😎
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And I will be checking that out later today.
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Thank you for the history, Nancy. Happy New Year to you and yours, too! ❣️
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Happy New Year to you as well, Eugi! 🎉
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🥳🍷🍷
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A happy new year to you and yours, my friend … it’s nearly midnight here and I’ve spent all day putting my post and poem together …
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Time to hit the sack for some well-deserved sleep. 🥰🛌 🕛 ✍🏼🌏
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Yeah … I’m awake for last day of the year… 8 hours sleep and I’m back in top gear … 🥰🌏🐶🤗
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I just love that nearly everything has a Pagan origin. It’s just so satisfying somehow…..
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Those pagans knew how to party!
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That’s so interesting. I like history and finding out where things originated and why. Great post! 💗🌺
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Thanks very much, Kymber. So glad you enjoyed it.
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Thanks for the history, very interesting indeed. I always say it’s rubbish to come up with resolutions (I love the photo on your post), but in my mind I always do to some extent. This year, I’ll… Wishing you a peaceful and joy-filled year ahead, Nancy!!
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Thanks very much, Brenda. I don’t make resolutions anymore; it’s pointless. May you and your family be greatly blessed during the new year. ❤️
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Happy new year, Nancy! I love how you always put a song with your post, I always look forward to seeing what you have chosen for each post! ❤
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Thanks so much, CA. I love the music and I’m glad you do too. 🎶 ❤️
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Happy new year dear sister
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And to you also, cara sorella.
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🥹🙏🏼😍
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Thank you for the wishes Sis and the information …and the song 💜💜💜 Happy New Year 🎊 to you and yours too 💜
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You are so very welcome, dear sis. Happy new year to you and yours. 💜
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