Mongolia's Nine Nines

One important holiday connected to the end of winter is Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year. Tsagaan Sar usually happens during the later Nine Nines, when winter is slowly warming. Families clean their homes, wear new clothes, visit elders and share food. This celebration reflects the same ideas as the Nine Nines: surviving winter, showing respect and preparing for renewal and spring. 

Several winter festivals also bring the spirit of the Nine Nines to life. At the Ice Festival on Khuvsgul Lake, people gather on a frozen lake to skate, race horses and play traditional games. The festival celebrates endurance and community during the coldest time of year. 

In western Mongolia, the Eagle Festival also takes place during the winter. Eagle hunters demonstrate their skills by taming and doing tricks with golden eagles. Their bond shows the deep connection among humans, animals and nature, an idea at the core of the Nine Nines tradition. 

Even in cities like Ulaanbaatar, people still practice the Nine Nines. Families adjust how they dress, how they heat their homes, and how they plan travel based on the stage of winter. Grandparents also teach children about the Nine Nines through stories and sayings. 

In modern Mongolia, the Nine Nines are no longer just about survival. They are taught to honor tradition, celebrate resilience and to stay connected to nature.