Tsagaan Sar

The Mongolian New Year, Tsagaan Sar better known as ( mn. Цагаан сар / ᠴ ᠠ ᠭ ᠠ ᠨ ᠰ ᠠ ᠷ ᠠ; literally White Moon) is the first day of the year after the Mongolian Lunar Calendar. The New Year is celebrated by the Mongols.

Time

The festival of "White Moon" is celebrated one month after the first new moon following the winter solstice. Tsagaan Sar is one of the most important Mongolian holidays.

Ceremony

On New Year families light candles on altars, symbolizing the Buddhist enlightenment. In addition, the people welcome you with specific Tsagaan Sar for salutations, including Амар байна уу? ( Amar baina uu? ), Which "Is there peace? " means. Many Mongolian come on this day also their friends and family and exchange gifts. A typical Mongolian family will meet, for example, in the house of the oldest family members. Most Mongolians also dress in national Mongolian garments. While they welcomed their oldest members during the Tsagaan Sar, Mongolians lead the so-called " Zolgokh " ( mn. Золгох ) from, by engaging her elbows to symbolize support. The eldest receives this greeting from each member of the family apart from his / her spouse. During the welcoming ceremony entertain family members usually long, blue, silk scarves, which are called Khata. After the ceremony, the whole family sheep tail, mutton, rice eat with raisins, dairy products and Buuz. In addition, drinking Airag and exchanging gifts.

The day before Tsagaan Sar Bituun is called, which stands for dark moon. The phases of the moon hot Bituun ( dark moon ), Shined ( waxing moon ), Tergel ( full moon) and Huuchid ( waning moon ). On Bituun - day all families clean the house, where shepherds also the barns of livestock brush to face the new year fresh. The Bituun ceremony also includes the lighting of candles to symbolize enlightenment of the samsara. In addition, three pieces of ice are placed in front of the door so that the horse of Palden Lhamo deity can drink it because the deity on this day is to visit each and every household. In the evening, families gather in tight circles as a contrast to the huge family gatherings of Tsagaan Sar- day look back together on the almost perfect year, while they eat Buuz and dairy products. According to tradition, the Mongols put on that day all the errors of the old year in and pay off their debts.

Food

Traditional foods for the festival included dairy products, rice with curd ( tsagaa - цагаа ) or rice with raisins ( berees - бэрээс ), a pyramid of traditional pastry, which extend on a large plate and the Mount Meru or the Shambhala kingdom symbolize, a serving of grilled mutton and dough steamed in beef or lamb mince ( Buuz ), horse meat and traditional biscuits. Tsagaan Sar is a lavish feast, Requiring preparation days in advance, as the women make large quantities of Buuz and freeze them to save for the holiday.

During communism

During the Communist period Mongolia Tsagaan Sar, the government forbade and tried to replace the festival with a holiday called "National Hirtentag " Tsagaan Sar, however, was executed after the democratic revolution again.

Date

The Mongolian calendar after the system Tegus Buyantus ( Төгсбуянт ) is a lunisolarer calendar. The Astrology Tegus Buyantus was developed by the Mongolian priest Luvsandanzanjantsan (1639-1704), which the first reincarnation of Blama -yin agains a ( Ламын гэгээн ) was. Tsagaan Sar is celebrated on the first to the third day of the first lunar month.