Celebrations rooted in the past offer a comforting reminder of humanity’s shared desire to honor, reflect, and renew. For 2025, Ancient Origins Magazine turns to the Chinese Year of the Snake—a timeless symbol of transformation—to guide us through these uncertain times. This issue highlights the festivals and traditions that have defined human culture for millennia, revealing the deep roots of our instinct to find meaning through ritual and festivity.
From ancient Egypt’s Wepet Renpet, which marked the opening of the year, to Brazil’s dazzling Réveillon, the celestial Māori Matariki, and Spain’s midnight tradition of guzzling twelve grapes for luck, we trace the origins of diverse global customs that have helped civilizations honor the passage of time and celebrate the start of a new year.
The current issue will guide you through the origins of Venice’s famed carnival and its iconic masks, the vibrant hues of India’s Holi, the secrets of Egypt’s Heb-Sed Festival, and the myths of sacrifice in Aztec rituals. One article delves into Romania’s Dracula-inspired tourism and festivals, while another explores Mauritius’s Le Morne Brabant, its connection to the island’s Day of Emancipation, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and stories of perseverance.
Once again, facial reconstruction expert Cícero Moraes transports readers back in time, bringing them face-to-face with Saint Nicholas of Myra and his evolution into modern-day Santa Claus. Stephen Parsons of the Vesuvius Challenge discusses efforts to use advanced technology to virtually unwrap carbonized papyri, while chef Fadi Kattan of Bethlehem shares his recipe for makloubeh and a much-needed message of solidarity. This issue offers a thought-provoking exploration of the past, where ancient celebrations reflect resilience, joy, and the enduring power of the human spirit.