The month of January gets its name from Latin Januarius after the Roman god Janus, guardian god of portals, doors, and gates. Janus is known as the god of the new year and is often depicted with two faces that look forward into the future and backward into the past. He is associated with keys, symbolizing his protection of entries and exits and he also represents beginnings, transitions, and the passage of time. In ancient times, offerings would be made to Janus for births, marriages, funerals as well as the month of January to ensure an auspicious year.
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