In ancient times in the West, the time of year around March of the current calendar was considered as the beginning of the year (and calendar for winter didn't exist) but later on, the winter solstice was considered as the beginning of the year (referring to the Roman calendar.)
西洋では、古代には現在の3月ごろを年初としていた（冬には暦がなかった）が、後に冬至の時期を年初とするようになった（ローマ暦を参照）。