It sounds like a trick question, doesn't it? If someone asks you what month is january number, the answer is almost too simple: it's number one. It is the beginning. The fresh start. The "I’m going to actually use my gym membership this time" month.
But honestly, the "why" behind January being the first month is a lot weirder than just picking a number out of a hat. We take it for granted now, but for a huge chunk of human history, January wasn't the start of the year. It wasn't even a month at all for a while. It was just a nameless, cold void that people ignored while they waited for spring.
The Roman Mess and the Birth of January 1
To understand why what month is january number matters, you have to look at the old Roman calendar. Originally, the Romans only had ten months. They started in March (Martius) and ended in December. If you’ve ever wondered why "December" sounds like "decem" (ten) but it's the 12th month, that’s your answer. They just didn't count the winter. They basically looked at the snow and said, "Let's just not track time until it gets warm again."
King Numa Pompilius changed the game around 713 BCE. He didn't like the gap. He added January and February to the end of the calendar to sync things up with the lunar cycle. So, for a long time, January was actually the 11th month, not the first. It stayed that way until about 153 BCE when the Romans decided that civil officials should start their terms on January 1st.
Things got messy again during the Middle Ages. Various parts of Europe decided that starting the year on a "pagan" month was a bad look. They moved New Year's Day to March 25th (Lady Day) or even Christmas. It wasn't until the Gregorian Calendar arrived in 1582 that January 1st was cemented as the universal "number one."
Why Janus is the Face of the First Month
The name "January" comes from Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, and endings. He’s usually depicted with two faces—one looking back at the year that just ended and one looking forward to the future.
It’s a perfect metaphor.
When people search for what month is january number, they aren't just looking for a digit. They are looking for the psychological reset point. Janus represents that duality. You can't really move forward without acknowledging where you've been. In ancient Rome, doors (januae) were sacred to him, and January is quite literally the door to the rest of the year.
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The Math of the First Month
January has 31 days. It’s a long, often grueling stretch of time, especially in the Northern Hemisphere where the days are short and the sun is a rare guest.
Technically, the Earth is actually closest to the sun (perihelion) in early January. You’d think that would make it hot, right? Nope. Because of the tilt of the Earth's axis, those of us in the north are tilted away from the sun, so even though we’re physically closer to the fireball in the sky, we’re still freezing.
It’s the month of "Blue Monday," supposedly the most depressing day of the year (usually the third Monday). While Blue Monday was originally a PR stunt for a travel company, there’s some truth to the mid-January slump. The holiday high has worn off. The credit card bills from December are hitting the mailbox. The resolutions are starting to feel like chores.
January Around the World
Not everyone agrees that January is the first month.
The Lunar New Year, celebrated by billions in China, Vietnam, and Korea, usually falls between late January and mid-February. The Iranian New Year (Nowruz) starts on the spring equinox in March. Even the fiscal years for many governments and corporations don't start in January. In the UK and India, the "financial" month number one is actually April.
But for the global standard—the one that controls your smartphone calendar, flight schedules, and international business—what month is january number will always be one.
How to Actually Use the "First Month" Energy
If you're looking at January as the first month, don't fall into the trap of trying to change your entire life on day one. Most people fail their resolutions by January 19th (often called "Quitter's Day").
Instead of treating January 1st as a starting gun, treat the whole month as a transition.
- Audit the previous 12 months. Since Janus has two faces, use the first two weeks of January to look back. What actually worked last year? What was a total waste of time?
- Ease into the "Number One" spot. There is no law saying you have to be at peak productivity on January 2nd.
- Focus on light. Since January is dark, many cultures use fire or lights to celebrate. Think of the Scottish "Up Helly Aa" or simply lighting candles at home to fight the winter blues.
January is a weird, long, cold, and historically complex month. It’s the number one spot on our calendar not because of some cosmic law, but because of centuries of Roman politics, papal decrees, and a human desire to have a clear "gate" to walk through.
Next Steps for Your New Year
Don't let the pressure of "Month Number One" stress you out. If you want to make the most of the January energy, start by clearing out one physical space in your home to represent a "clean gate" for the year. Check your calendar for any recurring subscriptions you didn't use last year and cancel them before the mid-month bills hit. Finally, acknowledge that if you haven't started your goals yet, you still have 11 more months to figure it out.