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Tsagaan Sar

Experience Tsagaan Sar, Mongolia's vibrant New Year festival filled with rich traditions, festive meals, and colorful celebrations!
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When it is?
February 10
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Category
Cultural
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Country
Mongolia
Introduction

Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of vibrant colors, delectable feasts, and enduring traditions as we celebrate Tsagaan Sar on February 10! Dating back to the hun era (around 2,000 years ago), Tsagaan Sar is Mongolia's traditional lunar new year festival steeped in history and customs. Often regarded as a symbol of warmer days ahead, this spectacular festival marks the end of the harsh winter and the arrival of spring. It's an opportunity for Mongolians across the globe to come together, reconnect with their roots and share their vision for a better and fulfilling year ahead. So, put on your best traditional attire, prepare your tastiest dishes, and let's welcome the Mongolian New Year with joy and excitement!

History of Tsagaan Sar

Tsagaan Sar Dates

Tsagaan Sar Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Approx. 0 A.D.</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origin of Tsagaan Sar</div><div class='timeline-text'>Tsagaan Sar's beginnings are traced back to the Hun Era (approx 3rd century B.C. - 1st century A.D.), celebrated as a lunar new year festival by nomadic Mongols.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1200s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Genghis Khan Era</div><div class='timeline-text'>Under Genghis Khan's rule, Tsagaan Sar was officially made an annual tradition, celebrated across the Mongol Empire with unity and joy.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1900s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Period of Suppression</div><div class='timeline-text'>During Mongolian socialism, Tsagaan Sar was suppressed, with celebrations kept private within families, due to its religious and feudalistic connotations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Revival of Tsagaan Sar</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the democratic revolution in Mongolia, Tsagaan Sar was officially reinstated as a national holiday in the 1990s, allowing public and grand celebrations.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Today</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Tsagaan Sar is celebrated not only in Mongolia, but globally within Mongolian communities, preserving rich traditions and strengthening familial bonds.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Tsagaan Sar

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Craft your own Tsagaan Sar attire</h3><p class='facts-text'>Being a traditional festival, Tsagaan Sar is best celebrated sporting a Deel- the national costume of Mongolia. A crafty way to celebrate would be making your own Deel or Tsagaan Sar accessories at home, using colorful fabric and decorative materials, and wear them proudly during the festival.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Prepare traditional Mongolian dishes</h3><p class='facts-text'>Tsagaan Sar is known for its rich culinary delights, particularly Buuz (steamed dumplings). Spend the day leading up to Tsagaan Sar preparing these delicious delicacies at home. Don't forget to make extra - as the tradition goes, you should have an odd number of layers in your Unee (food tower).</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Host a Tsagaan Sar party</h3><p class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a Tsagaan Sar celebration. Everyone can dress in their homemade Deels, share their own prepared dishes and perform the "zolgokh" greeting while welcoming in the New Year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Learn, share and perform Mongolian games and songs</h3><p class='facts-text'>This festival is also synonymous with various traditional games like "Shagai" (anklebone shooting) and authentic Mongolian songs and dances. Take time to learn these games and songs and teach them to your guests at the Tsagaan Sar party.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Donate to Mongolian charities</h3><p class='facts-text'>In the spirit of Tsagaan Sar, embrace the spirit of generosity by donating to charities that support Mongolian communities. This is a fantastic way to give back and celebrate the festival in a meaningful way.</p></div></div>

Why We Love Tsagaan Sar

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a vibrant celebration of Mongolian culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Tsagaan Sar offers an immersive experience into the traditional customs and vibrant culture of Mongolia. From crafting and wearing the national costume 'Deel' to preparing traditional Mongolian dishes, it gives everyone a chance to take pride in the rich cultural heritage and keep the traditions alive.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a time for sharing and reconnecting</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Hosting Tsagaan Sar parties provide an opportunity for friends and families to come together, reflect on the past year, and share their visions for the new year. The festival strengthens social ties and gives us a chance to share joy and happiness.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages generosity and giving back</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Tsagaan Sar also embraces the spirit of generosity and charity. By donating to charities that support Mongolian communities, people can celebrate the festival in a meaningful way and make a positive impact on society.</p></div></div>

5 Fascinating Facts about Tsagaan Sar Celebration

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The celebration starts with Bituun, the Mongolian Lunar New Year's Eve</h3><p class='facts-content'>Bituun is a day of thorough cleaning as it is believed that it helps drive away any negative aura. People also pay off all their debts and resolve disagreements to start the New Year fresh.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tsagaan Sar is highlighted by a unique greeting ceremony</h3><p class='facts-content'>This ceremony called Zolgokh involves a formal greeting where the younger person supports the older person’s elbows to wish them well for the New Year.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Special "Three Manly Games" are part of Tsagaan Sar celebrations</h3><p class='facts-content'>These games, collectively known as "Naadam", include wrestling, horse racing, and archery, depicting the masculine spirit of Mongolian nomadic culture.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A specific array of dishes is prepared for Tsagaan Sar</h3><p class='facts-content'>Along with Buuz, dishes made from dairy products, rice with raisins, lamb, and horse meat are traditional elements of Tsagaan Sar cuisine. It also includes a Tsagaan Idee, or white food assortment, emphasizing the white color's holy significance in Mongolian culture.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Blue scarves, Hadag, play a symbolic role in Tsagaan Sar</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Hadag is a traditional ceremonial scarf and it is used for wrapping gifts and greeting cards during Tsagaan Sar. Made of silk, it symbolizes prosperity and peace and is often embellished with Soyombo, the national symbol of Mongolia.</p></div></div>

Tsagaan Sar FAQs

Tsagaan Sar Dates

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Cultural Holidays