New Years’ Resolutions form a very important part of the New Year celebrations. This tradition dates back to the early Babylonians. People resolve to follow certain ways of life, amend their previous mistakes or simply decide on following certain rules in the new year.

The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was begun in Greece around 600 BC. They celebrated their god of wine, Dionysus, by parading a baby in a basket, representing the annual rebirth of that god as the spirit of fertility. Early Egyptians also used a baby as a symbol of rebirth.

2010_taditions.jpgAlthough the early Christians denounced the practice as pagan, the popularity of the baby as a symbol of rebirth forced the Church to reevaluate its position.

The Church finally allowed its members to celebrate the New Year with a baby, which was to symbolize the birth of the baby Jesus.

The use of an image of a baby with a New Years banner as a symbolic representation of the New Year was brought to early America by the Germans.

The Tournament of Roses Parade– an integral part of the New Year Celebrations in California - dates back to 1886. Members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers.

It celebrated the ripening of the orange crop in California.

Although the Rose Bowl football game was first played as a part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902, it was replaced by Roman chariot races the following year.

In 1916, the football game returned as the sports center piece of the festival.

नए साल की परंपराएं और अजब गजब रिवाज के बारे में हिंदी में पढ़ें, क्लिक करें

Forthcoming Festivals