Losar, the Tibetan New Year

Losar, the Tibetan New Year

In 2025, the Tibetan New Year – Losar – falls on February 28th (and not January 29th, as in the Chinese calendar). Losar opens the year 2152 of the Tibetan calendar under the sign of the Wood Snake.

Why this difference in day and year? The Tibetan calendar is a lunar calendar, not a solar one as in the West. This calendar begins in 127BC, the date on which Nyati Tsanpo, the first Tibetan king, was enthroned.

In Tibetan astrology, the Year of the Snake is traditionally associated with the qualities of wisdom, mystery and transformation, as well as with the idea of moulting, rebirth and renewal. This symbolism illustrates the snake’s ability to adapt, change and make new beginnings. The Wood element brings us a year that might seem more orderly and calm – with a greater ability to appreciate the world around us.

In Tibet, the Losar celebrations were the occasion for many rituals and traditions embodying this renewal. The idea that the new year began with the abandonment of the negative aspects of the past year was translated into concrete actions: monasteries organised numerous rituals, prayers, offerings and religious performances such as sacred dances to create auspicious conditions for the new year. As for the lay people, they were busy settling debts contracted during the year and appeasing conflicts. It was also the occasion for a major clean-up.

The children supported by She Yün started their new school year at the beginning of February.