Title
Special Recognition - Proclamation Recognizing Lunar New Year
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Proclaim February 12, 2021 as Lunar New Year, the year of the Ox in the City of Olympia.
Report
Issue:
Whether to proclaim February 12, 2021 as Lunar New Year, the year of the Ox in the City of Olympia.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Executive Assistant, 360.753.8244
Presenter(s):
Councilmember Yến Huỳnh
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, US Representative for WA-10
Mingta Lin, President, Olympia Area Chinese Association (OACA)
Background and Analysis:
Celebrated by 1.5 Million people around the world, Lunar New Year is seen as a time for new beginnings and family gathering with the overarching themes of fortune, happiness, and health.
Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars, which are regulated by the cycles of the moon and sun. A solar year-the time it takes Earth to orbit the sun-lasts around 365 days, while a lunar year, or 12 full cycles of the Moon, is approximately 354 days.
Traditional to many east Asian countries, Lunar New Year is celebrated across several countries and territories in Asia, including China, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam. In the U.S., it is commonly associated with what is often called Chinese New Year, the American version of China's 15-day-long festivities.
In 2021, the Lunar New Year falls on February 12 and is designated as the Year of the Ox. The Ox is an animal sign characterized by honesty, diligence, strength, and determination.
Attachments:
Proclamation