Mongolian Lunar New Year

What’s included in Mongolian Lunar New Year

  • Buuz

When does Naadam will Begin?

  • 4 days
  • 4 days

Introduction

What is Lunar New Year?

The Mongolian Lunar New Year, known as Tsagaan Sar (Цагаан сар), is one of Mongolia’s most important and ancient celebrations. Literally meaning “White Moon” or “White Month,” it is a holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Tsagaan Sar is deeply rooted in Mongolian traditions, combining elements of Buddhism, Shamanism, and nomadic culture. It is celebrated similarly to Lunar New Year festivals in other parts of Asia but with distinct customs and rituals.

    • Timing: It is celebrated in late January or February, according to the Mongolian lunar calendar.
    • Cultural Significance: Tsagaan Sar is a time to honor elders, strengthen family bonds, welcome a fresh start, and pray for prosperity and good health in the coming year. The white color in Tsagaan Sar symbolizes purity, renewal, and the milk products that play a central role in Mongolian nomadic life.
    • Preparations: In the weeks leading up to Tsagaan Sar, families engage in thorough preparations: 1. Cleaning Homes: Much like in other cultures celebrating Lunar New Year, Mongolian families clean their homes to rid them of bad luck from the previous year. 2. Making Food: Large quantities of food are prepared, including traditional dishes like buuz (steamed dumplings), ul boov (layered fried dough biscuits), and various dairy products. Ul boov are stacked in an odd-numbered pyramid on the table to represent prosperity. 3. New Clothes: It is traditional to wear new clothes, especially deel (a traditional Mongolian robe) made of silk or other fine fabrics.
    • 1. Family Gatherings Tsagaan Sar begins with families reuniting to celebrate. The most important gatherings take place on Bituun, which is the Mongolian equivalent of New Year's Eve. The head of the family makes offerings to the spirits of the home and the ancestors to invite peace and blessings.
    • 2. Greeting Rituals (Zolgokh) On the first day of the new year, family members greet one another using a ritual called Zolgokh. Younger family members greet elders by holding their arms below the elder’s elbows, symbolizing support and respect. They then say the phrase "Amar baina uu?" (Are you living peacefully?). Elders offer blessings in return. This gesture is a vital part of showing respect to older family members.
    • 3. Traditional Foods • Buuz (Бууз): Steamed dumplings filled with meat (usually mutton or beef) are central to the Tsagaan Sar feast. • Ul Boov (Үл Бов): This layered, hard, fried pastry is often stacked in odd-numbered layers and served with dairy products, symbolizing wealth and abundance. • Airag (Fermented Mare’s Milk): Airag, a traditional Mongolian drink, is sometimes served during Tsagaan Sar, along with other dairy-based foods.
    • Families prepare tables with offerings of food and drink, which symbolize abundance and hospitality. Visitors are treated to a full meal, and guests traditionally eat at least three buuz at each home they visit.
    • 4. Visiting Relatives and Neighbors A key part of Tsagaan Sar is visiting relatives, neighbors, and friends. The oldest members of the family are visited first, and families will go from home to home to share food, offer well-wishes, and strengthen community bonds.
    • 5. Offerings and Blessings Families often make offerings at Buddhist temples or shrines as part of their prayers for health, happiness, and prosperity. Some Mongolian families, especially those who follow Shamanistic traditions, may make offerings to nature and the spirits of the land.
    • Symbolism and Themes • White Color: White, which represents purity and renewal, is a central theme in Tsagaan Sar, symbolized by dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt. • Rebirth and Renewal: As Tsagaan Sar takes place in late winter, it also symbolizes the transition from the hardships of winter to the new life that spring brings. • Family and Respect: Tsagaan Sar is a time to honor ancestors and elders, with a focus on respect, gratitude, and maintaining familial relationships.
    • Duration of Celebration Tsagaan Sar is celebrated for about three days, although the entire process from preparation to final visits can last for weeks. During this period, families will continue to host guests, exchange blessings, and share meals.
    • Regional Variations While the core traditions remain consistent across Mongolia, there may be slight regional differences in how Tsagaan Sar is observed, particularly between urban and rural areas. In the countryside, the festival often retains more of its traditional nomadic roots, with stronger ties to nature and livestock
    • Overall, Tsagaan Sar is a time of family reunion, cultural celebration, and a fresh start in the Mongolian lunar year, deeply reflecting Mongolia’s history, nomadic way of life, and spiritual traditions.

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