XPost: soc.culture.russian

In Russia, it's called both as Chinese as Oriental/"Eastern" New Year.

Most of the Russians don't celebrate it. However, in traditionally
Buddhist Russia's regions, it's celebrated officially (and lasts for a
month). Russian Mongolic people call it White Month/Moon.

In the Eastern color symbolism, white corresponds to autumn season of
the year. The Mongolic peoples originally celebrated their White Month
NY in autumn. After the conquest of China, Kublai-khan had ordered his
Mongol apparatus to shift this celebration according to Chinese
astrology. Later, it took hold this way in outer Mongolia and further,
and over time it became closely intertwined with Buddhist customs. Thus
in Russia this celebration is often called Buddhist New Year as well.

<https://youtu.be/ibnjaDe0l3Y?t=2378> White Moon song contest

In Buryatia & Tuva regions, this year, February 2 is the official date.
Kalmyks follow different tradition, so that their White Month will come
on March 3 this year. Moreover, while the Kalmyks celebrate White Moon,
they don't interpret it as New Year, their traditional New Year occurs
in December.

In the Eastern color symbolism, "white" corresponds not only to autumn
but also to western direction. Russian historical documents from 16th to
18th centuries, relating to the correspondence and agreements between
Moscow and Siberian peoples, often contain the term White Czar. At the
time, in the Siberian context, it literally meant simply "western czar".

While most of the Russians don't celebrate the "Eastern NY", many still willingly employ the Chinese zodiac's animals, applying them to January
1 New Year.

--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)