Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is a time for new beginnings, prosperity, and good fortune. Rooted in ancient traditions and mythology, this holiday is celebrated with a set of customs and taboos that are believed to influence the coming year.
- On Tsagaan Sar's Eve and during the celebrations, certain actions are strictly forbidden:
- Drawing water from natural sources: It is prohibited to fetch water from rivers, wells, or springs. Instead, water should be collected in advance to ensure an abundant and prosperous start to the year.
- Mending old clothes: Repairing worn-out clothes is forbidden. Instead, wearing new clothes symbolizes renewal, good fortune, and longevity.
- Lending or borrowing: Giving away or taking items on loan is believed to bring financial loss and misfortune, as it symbolically “opens the door” to loss while “closing the door” to gain.
- Crying or arguing: Emotional outbursts such as crying and fighting are thought to bring misfortune, leading to conflicts and troubles throughout the year.
- Throwing away ashes: Homes must be thoroughly cleaned before Tsagaan Sar. Disposing of ashes during the holiday is believed to invite misfortune.
- Speaking negative words or killing animals: Saying unkind things or slaughtering animals is believed to bring bad luck and even invite death into the household.
- Visiting relatives on the seventh day: The seventh day of the new lunar month is considered a “black day,” and visiting siblings and relatives is discouraged.
- Wife and Husband greeting each other: Couples do not greet each other on this day /zolgokh/, as it is believed to bring misfortune, including divorce.
- Drunkenness and unauthorized touching of ritual foods: Drinking alcohol excessively or touching Tsagaan Sar’s meal without the owner's permission is considered disrespectful and may bring bad luck.
- Carrying sharp objects: Keeping dangerous or toxic items on one’s person is said to attract war, conflict, and unfaithfulness.
Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year, is a time for new beginnings, prosperity, and good fortune. Rooted in ancient traditions and mythology, this holiday is celebrated with a set of customs and taboos that are believed to influence the coming year.
- On Tsagaan Sar's Eve and during the celebrations, certain actions are strictly forbidden:
- Drawing water from natural sources: It is prohibited to fetch water from rivers, wells, or springs. Instead, water should be collected in advance to ensure an abundant and prosperous start to the year.
- Mending old clothes: Repairing worn-out clothes is forbidden. Instead, wearing new clothes symbolizes renewal, good fortune, and longevity.
- Lending or borrowing: Giving away or taking items on loan is believed to bring financial loss and misfortune, as it symbolically “opens the door” to loss while “closing the door” to gain.
- Crying or arguing: Emotional outbursts such as crying and fighting are thought to bring misfortune, leading to conflicts and troubles throughout the year.
- Throwing away ashes: Homes must be thoroughly cleaned before Tsagaan Sar. Disposing of ashes during the holiday is believed to invite misfortune.
- Speaking negative words or killing animals: Saying unkind things or slaughtering animals is believed to bring bad luck and even invite death into the household.
- Visiting relatives on the seventh day: The seventh day of the new lunar month is considered a “black day,” and visiting siblings and relatives is discouraged.
- Wife and Husband greeting each other: Couples do not greet each other on this day /zolgokh/, as it is believed to bring misfortune, including divorce.
- Drunkenness and unauthorized touching of ritual foods: Drinking alcohol excessively or touching Tsagaan Sar’s meal without the owner's permission is considered disrespectful and may bring bad luck.
- Carrying sharp objects: Keeping dangerous or toxic items on one’s person is said to attract war, conflict, and unfaithfulness.