Father Time

Father time is a mythical character that has belonged to many different cultures throughout the ages. He is the personification of time, and makes for a very interesting character in a fairy tale or myth. He is usually depicted as a bearded old man dressed in robes and carrying an hourglass. His image stems from a few other mythical creatures such as the Grim Reaper and the Greek God of Time, Chronos. Around 1610 there was a portrait painted of Elizabeth the first with Father Time on one side, and Death on the other. This is the earliest art/print reference of Mr. Time, but it is said that his myth was floating around long before the 1600's.
Father Time has a parental nature- hence the name "father"- about him that reminds people of the motherly nature of Mother Nature (pun intended). Because of this, people have often imagined the two as married.
There are still many beleifs as to when Father time graces us with his presence. In some places and cultures, it is said that Mr. Time is only seen on New Years, when he is supposed to hand over his duties to Baby New Year.
Another belief is that like God and the Grim Reaper, Father Time is constantly watching over us and holds an hour glass for each individual that is always slowly decreasing.