The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

Where did the new year's resolution come from? Well, we've been making them for 4,000 years

  • Written by Joanne Dickson, Professor of Psychology & Mental Health, Edith Cowan University
Where did the new year's resolution come from? Well, we've been making them for 4,000 years

As we welcome in the new year, a common activity across many cultures is the setting of new year resolutions. New year represents a significant temporal milestone in the calendar when many people set new goals for the year ahead. Here in Australia, over 70% of men and women (over 14 million Australians) are reported[1] to have set at least one new year resolution in 2022.

New year pledges or promises are not new[2]. This practice has been around for some time. Most ancient cultures[3] practised some type of religious tradition or festival at the beginning of the new year.

Early 20th-century new year’s resolution postcards. Wikimedia

The Babylonians

Historically, the first recorded people[4] to set new year pledges (later to become known as resolutions) are the Ancient Babylonians some 4,000 years ago[5].

The Babylonians are also the first civilisation to hold recorded celebrations in honour of the new year. Though for the Babylonians the year began not in January, but in mid March, when the crops were being planted. New year resolutions for the Babylonians were intertwined with religion, mythology, power, and socioeconomic values.

The Babylonians are said to have initiated the tradition of a 12-day new year festival called Akitu. Statues of the deities were paraded through the city streets, and rites were enacted to symbolise victory over the forces of chaos.

During this festival people planted crops, pledged their allegiance to the reigning king or crowned a new king, and made promises to repay debts in the year ahead. The Babylonians believed[6] if they fulfilled their new year promises, then the Gods would look favourably upon them in the new year.

Akitu was the Babylonian festival for the new year. Wikimedia

Ancient Rome

Ancient Rome continued the tradition of celebrating new year and setting new year pledges. The Roman new year was initially celebrated on March 15 (The Ides of March), as this was the time the most important Roman officials (Consuls) took office.

The festival of Anna Perenna, an Italian goddess of the new year and the beginning of spring, was also celebrated on March 15.

Read more: 'Tis the season to be jolly: singing Christmas carols together isn't just a tradition, it's also good for you[7]

The Julian calendar

The emperor Julius Caesar introduced the Julian calendar, in 46 BC, which declared January 1 as the start of the new year. This new date was to honour[8] the Roman god, Janus.

Symbolically, Janus has two faces, to look back on the previous year and to look forward into the new year[9]. Janus was the protector of doors, archways, thresholds and transitions into new beginnings.

Statue representing Janus Bifrons in the Vatican Museums. Wikimedia

Each new year Romans would offer sacrifices to Janus and pledge renewed bonds between citizens, the state, and the deities. Blessings and gifts were exchanged (for example sweet fruit and honey), and allegiances pledged[10] to the emperor. New year celebrations and pledges were embedded into spirituality, power structures, and the societal fabric of the Roman culture.

The age of chivalry

In the Middle Ages (around 500 to 1500 A.D), medieval knights pledged their allegiance and renewed their vows to chivalry and knightly valour each new year.

Legend has it[11] the most celebrated chivalry vows were those called “The Vow of the Peacock” or the “Pheasant”. The knights placed their hands on a live or roast peacock and renewed their vows to maintain knighthood values.

The splendid and various colours of these birds is thought to have symbolised[12] the majesty of kings and nobility.

Beyond knightly valour and honour, however, chivalry served social and religious functions. Chivalry reinforced social divisions of wealth, prestige and superiority that served the interests of the ruling nobility and landed aristocrats. Thus, knighthood became analogous to an elite members’ club.

In the Middle Ages, new year was celebrated by different societies at different times of the year. Due to a timing miscalculation, the Julian calendar had resulted in seven extra days by the year 1000.

An early 14th-century German manuscript depicting a knight and his lady. Wikimedia Commons

Modern times

To solve problems associated with the Julian calendar, the Gregorian calendar was instigated by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. The new year was officially reinstated[13] to January 1.

Religion continued to exert a significant social and cultural influence on the purpose and function of people’s new year pledges. For instance, in the 19th century, Protestantism emphasised setting pledges strongly aligned to religion, spirituality, and moral character.

However, in the 1800s there is some evidence resolutions were beginning to be satirised. For instance, a series of satirical resolutions[14] were being reported in the Walker’s Hibernian Magazine (1802), “Statesmen have resolved to have no other object in view than the good of their country”.

Resolutions had become a common activity, and people were making and breaking pledges just as they do to this day. For instance, as early as 1671, the Scottish writer Anne Halkett recorded in her diary[15] the resolution, “I will not offend anymore”.

As in earlier times, people from across cultures continue to celebrate the new year (though at different times), and to set resolutions. Just as ancient civilisations would pray for rich harvest, resolutions today tend to also project societal[16] values.

Contemporary resolutions tend to be more secular than religious or societal in nature. Conceptually, however, new year resolutions continue to capture people’s imagination, hopes, and promises for betterment. Even after 4,000 years, the new year continues to symbolise a new threshold. An opportunity for a fresh start.

References

  1. ^ reported (www.finder.com.au)
  2. ^ not new (worldtreasures.org)
  3. ^ Most ancient cultures (www.cnet.com)
  4. ^ first recorded people (www.trafalgar.com)
  5. ^ 4,000 years ago (www.almanac.com)
  6. ^ believed (www.trafalgar.com)
  7. ^ 'Tis the season to be jolly: singing Christmas carols together isn't just a tradition, it's also good for you (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ honour (imperiumromanum.pl)
  9. ^ into the new year (billpetro.com)
  10. ^ pledged (www.sciencedaily.com)
  11. ^ Legend has it (slate.com)
  12. ^ symbolised (www.worldhistory.org)
  13. ^ officially reinstated (www.britannica.com)
  14. ^ satirical resolutions (www.trafalgar.com)
  15. ^ her diary (www.trafalgar.com)
  16. ^ project societal (www.mdpi.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/where-did-the-new-years-resolution-come-from-well-weve-been-making-them-for-4-000-years-196661

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...

Troubleshooting Flickering Lights: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Effectively addressing flickering lights in your home is more than just a matter of convenience; it's a pivotal aspect of both home safety and en...

My shins hurt after running. Could it be shin splints?

If you’ve started running for the first time, started again after a break, or your workout is more intense, you might have felt it. A dull, nagging ache down your shins after...

Metal Roof Replacement Cost Per Square Metre in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide for Australian Homeowners

In recent years, the trend of installing metal roofs has surged across Australia. With their reputation for being both robust and visually appealing, it's easy to understand thei...