January 3
Holidays
5 holidays recorded on January 3 throughout history
Quote of the Day
“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.”
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Two teams of half-naked men fight for wooden balls.
Two teams of half-naked men fight for wooden balls. The Tamaseseri Festival happens every January 3 at Hakozaki Shrine in Fukuoka. Participants wear only loincloths despite freezing temperatures. The wooden balls represent the coming year's fortune. Spectators throw cold water on the competitors. The festival dates back 500 years. Winners get a year of good luck.
Ancient Romans celebrated Pax on January 3rd.
Ancient Romans celebrated Pax on January 3rd. Goddess of peace. Her temple stood in the Forum. But here's the irony: Romans built the temple after conquering their enemies. Peace through victory. The festival honored not the absence of war, but its successful conclusion. Roman peace meant everyone else surrendered.
Eastern Orthodox churches observe January 3 differently across the world.
Eastern Orthodox churches observe January 3 differently across the world. Some follow the Julian calendar, making this December 21 in the Gregorian system. Others commemorate various saints and martyrs. The day holds special significance for fasting periods and feast preparations. Different Orthodox traditions create a complex calendar of observances that varies by region.
The tenth day of Christmas falls on January 3rd.
The tenth day of Christmas falls on January 3rd. Ten lords a-leaping. The song's gifts total 364 items by this point. But the twelve days weren't about presents originally. They marked the time between Jesus's birth and the arrival of the Magi. Epiphany comes on day twelve. The gifts were symbolic, not literal.
St.
St. Genevieve saved Paris from Attila the Hun by praying. Or so the story goes. In 451, when the Huns approached the city, she convinced Parisians to stay and pray instead of flee. Attila changed course. Coincidence or miracle? Paris celebrates her feast day every January 3.