The Origin of New Year’s Eve Traditions

I’m not sure about you, but I love investigating the origin of traditions. So of course, this time of year, the most appropriate tradition to investigate is New Year’s Eve.

Here’s what I found out.

The Ancient Roots of New Beginnings

Have you ever wondered why we pop champagne at midnight on December 31st? Or why do we make resolutions we might not keep? As it turns out, our modern New Year’s celebrations have roots that stretch back to ancient civilisations – and they’re more fascinating than you might think.

Babylon: Where It All Began

Picture this: It’s around 2000 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia. The city of Babylon is alive with excitement as people prepare for Akitu, an eleven-day festival marking their New Year. Unlike our winter celebration, this festival coincided with the new moon following the spring equinox – a time of natural renewal and rebirth.

A Festival of Renewal

The Babylonians didn’t just party for eleven days (though that sounds amazing, doesn’t it?). Their celebration was deeply spiritual, involving elaborate rituals where statues of their gods were carried through the streets. These processions symbolized renewal and preparation for the year ahead – not so different from our own desires for fresh starts and new beginnings.

A Time for Every Culture

What’s particularly fascinating is how different ancient civilisations chose their own meaningful moments to mark the new year:

The Egyptians and Phoenicians celebrated during the autumn equinox, while the Persians preferred the spring equinox. The Greeks initially chose the winter solstice before later adopting January 1st under Roman influence.

The Roman Revolution

Speaking of the Romans, they’re the reason we celebrate New Year’s on January 1st. In 46 BCE, Julius Caesar introduced this date as part of his new calendar system. The choice wasn’t random – January was named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings.

The Two-Faced God

Janus is typically depicted with two faces: one looking back at the past, the other gazing forward into the future. Sound familiar? It’s exactly what we do at midnight on New Year’s Eve, reflecting on the year behind us while looking forward to new possibilities.

Christianity’s Influence

During medieval times, Europe saw various New Year’s dates, including March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation) and December 25 (Christmas). It wasn’t until the Gregorian calendar‘s introduction in 1582 that January 1st was firmly reestablished as New Year’s Day.

Modern Traditions with Ancient Roots

Global Celebrations

Today’s New Year’s celebrations are a beautiful tapestry of global traditions:

In Spain, people gather to eat twelve grapes at midnight – one for each month of good luck ahead. Scottish “Hogmanay” celebrations include the charming tradition of “first footing,” where the first visitor of the year brings gifts for good fortune.

Resolutions and Reflection

Ever feel guilty about breaking your New Year’s resolutions? Don’t worry – we’ve been doing this for millennia. The ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year. While our resolutions might focus more on gym memberships than divine promises, the underlying desire for self-improvement remains the same.

Midnight Magic

That kiss at midnight? It’s not just romantic – it’s historical. This tradition has roots in ancient Roman festivities like Saturnalia, symbolising good fortune for relationships in the coming year.

Creating Your Own Traditions

Understanding these ancient origins adds depth to our modern celebrations, but it also reminds us that traditions evolve. Whether you’re eating grapes at midnight, wearing lucky underwear (a Latin American tradition), or creating your own unique ritual, you’re participating in a human tradition that spans millennia.

Looking Forward, Looking Back

As we prepare to welcome another new year, we’re not so different from our ancestors. Like the two faces of Janus, we pause to reflect on the past while hoping for the future. We gather with loved ones, make promises for better days ahead, and celebrate the endless cycle of renewal.

Whether you’re planning an elaborate party or a quiet evening of reflection, remember that you’re part of a human tradition that stretches back thousands of years. 

Let mushrooms support you throughout 2025 by ordering your microdosing Starter Pack here. If you are not ready to start microdosing, then perhaps our high-potency dual extraction Mushroom Essentials Complex and/or Himalayan Shilajit is the perfect addition to your supplement regimen.

As always, 

Shine bright. Do good. Flow strong.

Asha ✨