Ulaanbaatar
Today marks National Pride Day in honor of birth anniversary of Chinggis Khaan
Society
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. The National Pride Day is being celebrated today in Mongolia, marking the 857th anniversary of birth of Great Chinggis Khaan, which customarily falls on the first day of winter according to the Mongolian Lunar Calendar.
Based on the conclusion of a working group in charge of re-determining the birthday of Chinggis Khaan and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, a Presidential decree was issued on January 9, 2012, officially declaring the day Chinggis Khaan was born to be on the first day of the first winter month by the Lunar calendar. /The day is, by the Lunar calendar, celebrated on different days each year/. The country is celebrating the National Pride Day as a public holiday for the eighth year.
This afternoon, a traditional ceremony of exalting the Nine White Banners took place at the central square of Sukhbaatar. The Nine White Banners, which are kept at the State House, were brought to the central square by cavalcade of nine honor guards, who circled the State Palace clockwise. Tribute was paid to the Nine White Banners mounted by honor guards.
Under the rule of a sole leader, when Mongolians enthroned Chinggis Khaan as the King of the Great Mongolian Empire, they raised their Nine White Banners - the symbol of great power as well as independence and unity for the Mongolian state and had the great king pay respects. And ever since that time, the White banners have been placed in the state palace to symbolize the Mongolian state in a perpetual state of prosperity and its people living peacefully. Currently, the Nine White Banners are kept at the State house, to only be brought out for big holidays.
Commemorating the anniversary, the Order of Chinggis Khaan is awarded to people, based on their merits, contribution to strengthening of the sovereignty and national integrity of Mongolia, achievements in promoting and inheriting Mongolian history and cultural values and for special service to the nation. This year, it was announced that the HU Band will be awarded the Order of Chinggis Khaan. Also, a high-ranking wrestling competition is to take place commemorating this day.
