The image of Baby New Year fascinates children, who naturally see themselves in the cartoon toddler who represents the transition from one year to the next. This interest can lead to kids asking why the new year is a baby, which can sometimes be tricky to answer. We’ve assembled a few facts and speculation about Baby New Year history you might find helpful.
Baby New Year History
The use of a baby to represent the New Year goes back centuries. The ancient Greeks depicted the new year as a baby as far back as 600 BC, and there’s also evidence the Egyptians did the same even earlier.
The new year in ancient Greece was celebrated, in part, by parading through town with a baby in a basket. The child was thought to symbolize the rebirth of Dionysius, the god of wine and fertility.
With the introduction of Christianity into Europe, the old pagan tradition was assimilated into the new religion. After all, a very important Christian baby was born just before the new year, so it made sense to keep the symbolism rather than try to fight it. Baby New Year became associated with the infant Jesus.
Today, Baby New Year has lost most of his religious significance. He is still, however, still seen as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Traditionally, each Baby New Year ages into the Old Year who welcomes a new Baby New Year every twelve months.
Baby New Year is often depicted in a diaper, wearing a sash with the new year’s date written on it. He may have wear a top hat, or carry a noisemaker or streamer to represent New Year’s festivities. He’s the ultimate manifestation of the principle of “out with the old, in with the new,” and a reminder that the next year is filled with possibilities.
