Mongolians Welcome White Moon With White Snow

The Lunar New Year arrived early this year, along with a blanket of white snow. Since ancient times, Mongolians have celebrated the “White Moon” as a good omen and letting go of the negative experiences and feelings of the past. Mongolians use milk as a symbol of a mother’s pure love and offer milk to Mother Nature and the sky. Milk is white and represents the purity of life. This is the reason Mongolians call the holiday “Tsagaan Sar” or “White Moon”.

The meaning of Tsagaan Sar is to get to know one’s extended family members by respecting elders and visiting each other. Traditionally, there are many rituals for Tsagaan Sar. For example, changing bad behaviors, such as the three sins of anger, greed and foolishness, and instead, doing a few good deeds is essential.

Ulaanbaatar resident Jargal states that it’s important to be acquainted with one’s extended family members, and Tsagaan Sar is definitely a chance to find out more about your family tree. She continues, it’s easy to have family members get lost in these modern days. It is critical for family members to try to find relatives just in case, and prevent future embarassments.

Originally, Tsagaan Sar was in the Fall because it was time of abundance in fat livestock and dairy products. In 1206, when Chinggis Khaan established the Mongolian Empire, he ordered all Mongolians to celebrate Tsagaan Sar in the first month of the spring when grass blossoms, dairy products are available, and livestock are set to deliver offspring. Since then, Mongolians followed each year by the traditional lunar calendar and the position of the stars, and eventually the first day of the first spring month was officially recognized as Tsagaan Sar.

The black night without a moon, “Bituun”, or Tsagaan Sar’s Eve refers to the youngest night of the old year. Everything is supposed to be complete, meaning the past year was rich and the coming year will be also prosperous. During Bituun everybody cleans house, completes all the year’s unfinished business, and pays any money owed to others. By doing this, it is said that fortune will smile on them. A younger couple who live in the city cheerfully said that they returned the money they borrowed from their cousin with sincere gratitude. They felt so relieved that they managed to welcome the Horse Year without any debt.

The Bituun ritual starts after sunset. Everybody must wear clean and neat clothes as well as decorate their home with their finest things. Families...