by Jenifer Rose

Created on: January 01, 2010   Last Updated: January 02, 2010

Mention New Year's Day and many things may come to mind.  Thoughts of parties, celebrations, parades and song.  For some it may be special meals or resolutions.  For others, larger celebrations and family gatherings.  One thought that many will have is of the Baby New Year.

New Year's Day has been celebrated for about 4,000 years.  It was first celebrated around 2000 BC, although it wasn't on January 1 as it is today.  Then it was celebrated in March, with the beginning of spring marking the start of a new year.  It wasn't until about 153 BC that January first began being celebrated.  

It was in Greece, nevertheless, in about 600 BC that the use of a baby to symbolize the new year began.  To honor Dionysus, their god of wine, they would place a baby in a basket and display it around.  This was to represent the rebirth of Dionysus.  The Egyptians too, used a baby to symbolize rebirth.  

Even though other cultures accepted this symbol, early Christians felt it was blasphemous and rejected it.  Nonetheless, as the popularity grew, they were forced to rethink their position.  Finally, they agreed to accept the baby as a symbol as long as it was recognized as a symbol of the baby Jesus.

Today the use of a baby is quite popular world-wide.  In the United States it is found not only in the media, but also on banners and various other decorations.  It is typically a little boy, dressed in a diaper and hat.  He also wears a sash with the year he represents printed across it.  

Unlike other babies, the Baby New Year lives his lifetime in a single year.  By the end of the year, he has grown into Father Time.  Father Time is another well known symbol of the New Year.  He is a bearded old man who usually carries an hourglass and a scythe, and is dressed in a robe and sash with the previous year printed on it.  

At the end of each year, Father Time gives his duties to the Baby New Year.  The cycle continues as each new baby grows into Father Time throughout the year.  This progression is used to show the passage of time.  The ending of an old year and the beginning of a new one.  

Babies are a symbol of new life, of hope, of rebirth.  The Baby New Year is just that.  He stands for the dreams each person has as they step into a new year.  The hopes for a better life, a new beginning.

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