Moral Education at New Year

Abstract

The month January is named after Janus, the Roman god of gates and doors, and keeper of the gates of heaven and earth. Janus is always portrayed with two faces, one looking back at the old year, and the other looking forward to the new year. In his left hand, he holds a sceptre, as symbol of power, and in his right a key with which to lock the door of the old year and to open the door of the new year.

Nearly all religions and cultures know a more or less solemn transition from the old to the new year. A transition usually marked by festive activities and by a moralistic moment of looking back and forward in time. This moment is often combined with pedagogical rituals for the strengthening of the moral and spiritual behaviour of the children. However, in the context of the festive structure of a New Year's festival these rituals have normally a playful character that weakens a too heavy moral stress. This will be illustrated on the basis of two semi‐religious festivals: Chinese New Year and the Dutch Saint Nicholas.