We think of December as the end of the line. It is the 12th month, the home of Christmas, and the start of winter.
But if you look at the name closely, you might notice something strange. The root word “Decem” is Latin for ten (like Decimal or Decade).
So why is the 12th month of the year named after the number 10?
The answer lies in ancient Roman politics, stolen days, and a superstition that made December 28th the unluckiest day in history. Here are the untold stories behind the month of December.
1. It Was Originally the 10th Month
For centuries, the Roman calendar only had 10 months. The year started in March (Martius) and ended in December. The winter period (January and February) was considered a “dead time” and wasn’t even counted in the calendar!
December was literally the “Tenth Month.” However, in 45 BC, Julius Caesar reformed the calendar (creating the Julian Calendar) and added January and February to the beginning of the year.
This pushed December from the 10th slot to the 12th slot, but—perhaps out of laziness or tradition—they never bothered to change the name. So for over 2,000 years, we’ve been calling the 12th month “Month Number Ten.”
2. The Unluckiest Day of the Year
While we consider Friday the 13th to be spooky, for thousands of years, December 28th was considered the cursed day of the calendar.
This day is known as “Childermas” or the “Feast of the Holy Innocents.” According to the Bible, this was the day King Herod ordered the execution of all baby boys in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the infant Jesus.
For centuries in England and Europe, it was considered incredibly bad luck to start a new project, set sail on a ship, or even get married on December 28th. Edward IV of England even refused to be crowned on this day because of the superstition.
3. The Anglo-Saxons Called it “Yule Month”
Before Christianity took over Europe, the Anglo-Saxons had very different names for the months. They called December “Yule Monath” (Yule Month) because of the custom of burning the Yule Log to celebrate the Winter Solstice.
Later, after converting to Christianity, they briefly renamed it “Heligh Monath” (Holy Month), but eventually, the Roman name “December” won out.
4. The Shortest Day (and Longest Night)
December contains the Winter Solstice (usually December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere). This is the precise moment when the North Pole is tilted farthest away from the Sun.
Astronomically, this is the first day of winter. For ancient cultures, this was a terrifying time—they literally watched the sun get weaker and weaker every day. The great feasts of December (like Saturnalia and Yule) were originally created to “cheer up” the sun and convince it to return, ensuring spring would come again.
5. A Month of Two Birthstones
If you were born in December, you get a choice of two very different birth flowers and stones.
- The Flowers: The Holly (for luck and protection) and the Paperwhite Narcissus (symbolizing sweetness).
- The Stones: You can choose between Turquoise (regarded by Native Americans as a piece of the sky fallen to earth) or Zircon (one of the oldest minerals on the planet).
Conclusion
December is a month of contradictions. It has the wrong name, it marks the darkest night of the year, but it is celebrated with the brightest lights.
It serves as a reminder that our calendar isn’t just a list of dates—it’s a living fossil of Roman history, pagan astronomy, and religious tradition, all wrapped up in one festive package.
Curious about other calendar oddities? Check out our History section to learn why Christmas was once banned.
