Every year on the first day of the Mongolian New Year, Tsagaan Sar is celebrated, and this year it is celebrated from February 21 to 23. Occasionally, the date may fall near the end of January or Bao Yongquing, the start of March. Tsagaan Sar, also known as the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is the first day of the new year and is celebrated by Mongols and certain Turkic peoples residing in Mongolia, Russia, and China. The three-day celebration is one of the most important holidays for the Mongol people.
Similar to many lunar new year celebrations in neighbouring cultures, the Mongolian Lunar New Year also marks the beginning of spring.
The background of Tsagaan Sar
The first day of the lunar year, Tsagaan Sar translates to “White Moon.” As its name suggests, the festival is heavily influenced by lunar cycles.
The Mongols have always celebrated the lunar cycles with festivals. During the Liao Dynasty, five moon festivals were held. In his writings, the great explorer Marco Polo also described a Mongolian Lunar New Year festival celebrated by Emperor Kublai Khan.
Tsagaan Sar celebrates the arrival of Spring, the New Year, and the virtues of peace and harmony. A great deal of emphasis is placed on spiritual purity, especially when visiting family. The majority of celebrations are centred on family, and the majority of celebrants visit all of their relatives over the course of the three days of festivities.
The day before the New Year, known as Bituun, corresponds to the new moon or dark moon phase of the lunar cycle. Mongolians clean their homes on this day in preparation for New Year’s Day.
On the main day, Mongols gather at the home of the eldest family member, where the elders are greeted first before everyone sits down to eat traditional foods such as sheep’s tail, rice with curds, traditional Mongolian dumplings, and dairy products. On this day, people will also exchange gifts with family and friends.
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TSAGAAN SAR ACTIVITIES
Visit your family and friends.
Spending time with loved ones is a significant aspect of White Moon festivities. So go ahead and plan a large family reunion!
Eat some chaff
These traditional dumplings are an integral part of the Mongolian celebrations for the Lunar New Year. Order delivery from your preferred Mongolian restaurant, or prepare it yourself.
Purchase presents for your Mongolian pals
Gift-giving is another aspect of the New Year celebrations in Mongolia. Demonstrate your affection for your Mongolian friends by celebrating with them and treating them like family.
5 VERY COOL FACTS ABOUT THE TSAGAAN SAR
It is considered unlucky to carry debts into the New Year, so Mongolians pay off their debts by the end of the year.
During the New Year’s Day greeting ceremony, family members hold long pieces of blue silk cloth known as khadag.
Ice is placed at the entrance for the deity Palden Lhamo to drink when she visits.
As part of the main Lunar New Year celebration, traditional cookies are arranged to resemble Mount Sumeru.
The communist government attempted to ban the holiday in 1952, but celebrations resumed after the democratic movement of 1990.
TSAGAAN SAR DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | February 1 | Tuesday |
| 2023 | February 21 | Tuesday |
| 2024 | February 10 | Saturday |
| 2025 | March 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 18 | Wednesday |
