AAUW San Mateo has organized a docent lecture on the Asian Lunar Calendar in preparation to greet the new lunar year and AAUW Palo Alto members have been invited to attend.

According to the Chinese calendar, 2021 will be the Year of the Ox, a highly valued animal in agriculture, characterized by honesty, hard work and perseverance! We will hear about centuries-old symbols and traditions, as well as food, customs and superstitions. It is believed that on the 5th day of the New Year the gods of prosperity come down from the heavens.

The ancient Chinese lunar calendar, on which Chinese New Year is based, functioned as a religious, dynastic and social guide. Oracle bones inscribed with astronomical records indicate that the calendar existed as early as 14th century B.C. when the Shang Dynasty was in power.

Chinese New Year typically begins with the new moon that occurs between the end of January and the end of February, and it lasts about 15 days, until the full moon arrives with the Festival of Lanterns.

This is a Zoom presentation on Wednesday, January 20th beginning at 1:00 pm.  A Zoom invitation will be sent to all members.