Lunar New Year/Spring Festival Celebration Proclamation

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LUNAR NEW YEAR/SPRING FESTIVAL CELEBRATION PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, Oracle bones inscribed with astronomical records indicate that the Chinese calendar existed as early as 14th century B.C., during the Shang Dynasty and reset according to which emperor held power; and WHEREAS, the traditional Lunar New Year also known as the Spring Festival falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice based on the lunisolar calendar, a complex combination timekeeping method that includes the moon’s orbit around the earth and the earth’s 365-day orbit around the sun and accomplished by adding a 13th month to the traditional calendar about once every three years; and WHEREAS, the traditional commonly known Lunar New Year Calendar celebrations begin Lunar New Year's Eve and end the 15th day of the first lunar month, also known as the Lantern Festival, while the Public Holiday is celebrated this year from the New Year’s Eve, February 11th to February 17th; and WHEREAS, the New Year is celebrated uniquely within the many different Asian countries, but regardless of the country, culture, religion or race, New Year’s Day is a time for Family -- family reunions, gatherings, reflection, and reaffirming bonds; and WHEREAS, the Chinese calendar includes the Chinese zodiac, or Sheng Xiao (生生 ), a repeating 12-year cycle of animal signs and their ascribed attributes, based on the lunar calendar; and WHEREAS, Chinese legend has it that the Jade Emperor summoned all the animals to his palace in a “Great Race” (or possibly for a banquet) stating the order in which they arrived would determine the animal’s place in the zodiac, and that the Ox was about to be the first to arrive, but Rat tricked Ox into giving him a ride and as they arrived, the Rat jumped down and landed ahead of the Ox, thus, Ox became the second animal; and WHEREAS, the Lunar New Year, / Spring Festival, marks the transition from one animal to the next, with February 11, 2021 ending the year of the Rat and February 12, 2021 signaling the start of the New Year, the year of the Ox (牛); and WHEREAS, in Chinese culture, oxen are symbols of wealth, prosperity, diligence, and perseverance and those born during the year of the Ox are said to be balanced, trustworthy, patient, and modest individuals. NOW THEREFORE, we the Town Council of the Town of Amherst, do hereby proclaim February 12, 2021 as the beginning of the Lunar New Year and/or Spring Festival, and urge all residents to join the 15-day celebration of the Year of the Ox, beginning with a celebration and reading of the Town’s first Lunar New Year Celebration Proclamation on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 5:30 pm so that families may celebrate on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Voted this ____________ day of January 2021. _________________________________ Lynn Griesemer, Town Council President.

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