Janus (mythology)

Janus head - coin

In Roman mythology, Janus is an important deity, second only to Jupiter himself. He was regarded as the author of the arts of civilization and was believed to sit at the confines of the earth and at the gates of heaven and to be the special guardian of the beginning and the ending of every undertaking. Janus was thus the god of the rising and of the setting sun. To him was ascribed the system of the years and the change of seasons. The month of January was named for him and his festival was observed on New Year's Day. He was invoked every morning, since fortune and misfortune were in his hands. As the guardián of doorways and gates, Janus is represented in art as two-faced, one face looking eastward, the other westward. In his right hand he holds a scepter and in his left a key. The doors of the temple of Janus in Rome were left open in time of war; in time of peace they were closed with much ceremony and great rejoicing. It is said to have been closed but three times in 700 years.