— SACRED TIME —

Losar — Tibetan New Year

February 16 · Buddhism · Eastern traditions

Moveable date

Esoteric and historical meaning

Tibetan lunar new year preceded by rites to expel the year's negativities: clearing the energy field before re-entering time.

Operative mechanics — ritual acts

·Cleaning and expulsion ritual (gutor) with a torma thrown away in the dark
·Tossing tsampa in the air
·Renewal of prayer flags

Traditional foods

·Guthuk, a nine-ingredient soup with omen-filled dumplings
·Butter tea

Offerings

·Torma, khapse, juniper incense

Taboos to respect

·Do not bring objects from the expulsion rite back into the house
·Do not argue during the first three days

Associated symbols

Prayer flags · Juniper · Eight auspicious symbols