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January means ‘Janus’s month’ and became the first month of the year in circa 700BC when Numa Pompilius, a Roman King, added it and February to the calendar. Numa also moved the start of the year from March to January.
Janus is the Roman god of beginnings and endings, he is also the god of gateways, gates, doors and doorways. The word ‘janitor’ is derived from Janus.
The Saxons called the month ‘Wulf-monath’ meaning wolf month.
Events in January
- Coptic Christmas
Born in January?
Birthstone: Garnet
Flower: Snowdrop (or a carnation)
Tropical Zodiac: Capricorn (December 22 to January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
Sidereal Zodiac: Sagittarius (December 16 to January 14) and Capricorn (January 15 to February 12)
In Pure Spirit
What does the month of January mean to you?
January 2, 2009 at 2:18 am
In dutch we have a word for that image: a "Janus Kop", meaning Janus head, because it has two faces.
January 2, 2009 at 2:32 am
Thanks. That's really interesting. Is that a fairly common phrase? I strongly doubt that most people in the UK will have heard of Janus or use an expression that includes the name.
January 2, 2009 at 2:43 am
Wowie. I never knew this much about January. Found your blog through IntenseDebate.
January 2, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for the visit. I really like the way the Intense Debate community works. I left a comment elsewhere, this led some people to follow me, which alerted me to the people they already followed – and I think this is how I found your profile.
You've some great snaps on your blog. I hope you get your new camera soon!
January 2, 2009 at 2:49 am
It's use is quite common to stress that something or somebody, for instance a politician, can have diverse and often opposing characteristics or attributes.
January 2, 2009 at 2:54 am
Thanks again. Really interesting insight there.
December 20, 2009 at 11:53 am
thank again,it was interesting.I never knew what january is, not untill now.