Mongolian people’s Lunar New Year is a celebration of overcoming winter and welcoming spring. Also, unity of the people, pride in national heritage, culture, and customs, respect for father, mother, grandparents, and each other strengthen the ties of relatives, know the genealogy, love the teachings with compassion for the youth, refresh the spirit, and prepare for the year. It is a festival that preserves many customs and traditions that are celebrated and renewed by the people. The Mongolian New Year is the first month of spring, and the name “White Moon” was born from the word “tsagaa” for dairy products. Due to the agricultural needs of the pastoral people, the New Year was celebrated on the first day of the first month of spring, but it also symbolizes that the harsh and stormy winter has passed and warm weather has arrived. The Lunar New Year ceremony consists of two main parts: sealing and renewal.
Bitun Day and Bitun Ritual
Usually, the last month of winter is called “bitun”. On this day, the moon is not visible in the sky due to the darkness, and Mongolians call this winter’s new moon “Lawai month”. In this way, it is considered that a full year ends in darkness. On this day, every family will have a final meal of the year at home, and it is a ritual to close the passing scores. New Year’s Day Ceremony: From dawn to dusk on New Year’s Day, the colors of that year are analyzed. It is believed that if the dawn is long and the sun is clear and cloudless at sunrise, then the year will be auspicious for babies and children. On New Year’s Day, do not commit karma, spend the night at home, cry, fight, throw ashes anywhere, go swimming, or lie down and sleep during the day. Making a shoulder: It is a ritual performed on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year. It is a ritual of the head of the household to make the first day of the year by starting his shoulder in the direction of the rising sun or sitting in the good direction.
Zolgoh
The people of the house put on their beautiful clothes, and the oldest people in the house will give Zolgoh to their grandparents, father, and mother. In this way, the procession begins, elders, young people, and children will go to each family separately, and those who come to visit will be treated with respect and gifts will be exchanged. After the New Year’s feast, auspicious blessings are given to the family members. A person who hears a blessing will say briefly, “May that blessing last forever.”
Giving gifts: There are many kinds of gifts. In the past, the most respected person was given a gift of fine silk, gold and silver jewelry, well-groomed hair, culture and scriptures along with nine white gifts. Ashdiin three gifts include a white carpet, freshly milked milk, and warm-beaked animals such as sheep and horses. Although the tradition of gift-giving is changing over time, tea, mugs, and mugs that have been handed down from time immemorial will be highly respected gifts.