The Origins of Lhosar: Welcoming the New Year with Tradition and Prosperity
September 25, 2023
The term "Lhosar" translates to "new year" in Tibetan, a fusion of two words: "lo," signifying year, and "sar," denoting newness. Lhosar represents a cherished Tibetan tradition, marking a time to expel malevolent spirits from homes and lives, clearing the path for a new year filled with happiness and prosperity.
The genesis of Lhosar dates back to a time preceding the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet when the predominant religion was Bon. In those pre-Buddhist celebrations, a spiritual practice was observed during the winter season. People burned copious amounts of incense to appease local spirits, deities, and protectors. With the advent of Buddhism in Tibet, the ancient Bon ceremony was seamlessly integrated into Buddhist traditions, evolving into the Buddhist Lhosar festival.
This religious custom was officially recognized as an annual Buddhist festive event during the reign of the ninth Tibetan king, Pude Gungyal. Intriguingly, the festival's origins can be traced to an elderly woman named Belma, who introduced a lunar-based timekeeping method. Furthermore, Lhosar was originally celebrated during the autumn bloom of apricot trees in the Lhokha Yarla Shampo region.
Lhosar also carries the distinction of being one of the earliest agricultural festivals, coinciding with the introduction of vital farming practices, such as cultivation, irrigation, iron refining from ore, and bridge construction in Tibet. These ceremonies can be regarded as precursors to the elaborate Lhosar festival we know today.
As Tibet embraced the rudiments of astrology rooted in the five elements, this agricultural celebration gradually transformed into what we now recognize as Lhosar, or the New Year's festival. The festival has since become an integral part of Tibetan culture, embodying centuries of tradition and the hope for a prosperous and joyful year ahead.