Latinum (LAT): Pagan substratum of New Year's celebrations: archaic roots of the modern ritual Introduction: The festival as a layering of traditions Modern New Year's and Christmas festivities represent a complex cultural palimpsest, where Christian and secular layers have been superimposed on a deep pagan (pre-Christian) foundation. From a scientific point of view, this is not a coincidence, but the result of an intentional policy of the early Church to Christianize pagan cults, when old, familiar national festivals were given a new meaning. The pagan substratum explains many seemingly irrational symbols and rituals that have survived to this day. Cult of the sun and winter solstice: the birth of a new celestial body The key date is the winter solstice (21-22 December in the Northern Hemisphere). For ancient agrarian societies, this was a turning point: the longest night, after which day begins to increase, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, life over death. Roman Saturnalia (17-23 December): A festival in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture and time. During this time, social hierarchies were abolished (slaves dined with their masters), gifts were given (wax candles cerei and clay figurines sigillaria), homes were decorated with evergreen plants, and a "king of the festival" was chosen. Direct prototype of carnival culture and the "license" of New Year's Eve. Day of the Invincible Sun (Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, 25 December): Established by Emperor Aurelian in 274 AD as an official cult. Celebration of the rebirth of the sun. It was this date that the Church chose for the official celebration of Christmas in the 4th century, declaring Christ the "Sun of Justice" (lat. Sol Iustitiae). This was a classic strategy of interpretatio christiana. German and Celtic Yule (Yule): A festival of midwinter, lasting about two weeks. Ritual burning of the Yule log (symbol of the passing year and the old sun), feasts, oaths on the head of a pig. Echoes — t ... Read more