The Vibrant Heritage of Nomadic Mongols
Let the artefacts guide you through Mongolia's traditions and culture
Amitayus in the ritual bottle Tse Bum (ཚེ་བུམ།)
Amitayus, the Buddha of Eternal Life, is also known as Amitabha.
Amitayus with rituals bottle Tse Bum (ཚེ་བུམ།) (XIX-XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
He is one of the five Cosmic Buddhas of Esoteric Buddhism.
The coral Amitayus was carefully carved and placed inside the ritual bottle.
Amitayus is widely revered in Mongolia as a deity that safeguards people and animals from various afflictions and diseases while representing longevity and good health.
It is believed that praying to Amitayus can lead to a longer life and freedom from ailments.
Green Tārā
The Green Tara is an essential figure in Buddhism.
Green Tārā (XIX-XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
She appears as a female bodhisattva and is considered Avalokiteshvara's consort or shakti (power).
As Green Tārā, she offers assistance and protection from all the unfortunate circumstances in the suffering world.
Buddha of Yamandag brass (XIX-XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
Buddha of Yamandag brass
Yamantaka means “Destroyer of Death”. It is the wrathful form of Manjusri, the Buddhist deity of Wisdom, and is also called the Protector of Religion.
With his 34 hands and 16 legs, animals and humans around him, he embraces his consort, Dorjrolonmaa. Yamantaka represents the goal of the journey to enlightenment, or the journey itself: On final awakening, one manifests Yamantaka – the ending of death.
Lyangan tools
In the XIX century, the Mongolian Tsam dance’s figures (heroes) used these tools named ‘Lyangan.’
Lyangan tools (XIX-XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
The tools, including knives, swords, chains, hooks, axes, hammers, spears, Bajra were a sacred items used in Buddhist ceremonies.
Lyangan tools (XIX-XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
These are steel carved ‘Lyangan’ tools created by the Mongolian style of craftsmanship during the XVII-XIX centuries.
Wooden carving of the White Old Man
Tsagan Uvgun, also known as the White Old Man, is one of Mongolians' most popular deities.
Wooden Carving of the White old man (Tsagaan Ubgun) (XIX-XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
He is regarded as the Master of heaven, land, rivers, and animals. The White Old Man is also believed to be the god who bestows fertility and longevity.
A shaman's costume
This elaborate shaman costume has numerous stuffed tubular material strips representing snakes, some with coral beads for eyes.
A shaman's costume by UnknownThe National Museum of Mongolia
A brass mirror serves as a reflective weapon against demonic, supernatural forces. Small animal skins, eagle feathers, and even bird claws highlight the connection between the shaman and the natural world.
Worshipping tableThe National Museum of Mongolia
Worshipping table
The surface of the worship table is painted maroon and the legs are orange. The ledges of the legs and the surface are painted with a green background. The four legs feature golden horn ''ugalzâ'', carvings painted with bronze pigments.
Chest of Drawers (XVIII Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
Chest of drawers
Each drawer of this ornate chest tells a story of Mongolian life, captured in delicate, hand-drawn illustrations. These captivating scenes offer a unique window into Mongolian culture and tradition.
The Ikhel (XVIII Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
The Ikhel
The Ikhel, a similar instrument to the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle), is widely played in Western Mongolia, especially among ethnic groups such as the Dorvod, Bayad, Zahchin, Urianhai, Oold, and Myangad.
The Ikhel is used in both dance music and ceremonies. It has a pair of strings made from horsetail hair and is played with a bow. The Ikhel is also very similar to the 'suuh' fiddle used by the Buryads in northern and eastern Mongolia.
The Morin khuur (XVIII Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
The Morin khuur
This stringed musical instrument derives its name from the horsehead ornament on its top. The horsehead fiddle is common throughout Mongolia and every family is likely to have one and place particular value on it.
Mongolian traditional songs and melodies are played on it, although it can also be used to play any other type of music. It has a trapezoid-shaped sound-box made of wood and the horsehead is usually painted green.
The strings are made of hair from a horse's tail. The hair is boiled and stretched to the required length to make the strings. There are also swan-head fiddles, lion-headed fiddles, and dragon-head fiddles.
Wooden puzzlesThe National Museum of Mongolia
Wooden puzzles
Mongolian puzzles generally consist of 4, 6, or 8 small pieces. Similar puzzles are found worldwide.
The DuudaramThe National Museum of Mongolia
The Duudaram
The Duudaram is a traditional Mongolian musical instrument consisting of ten metal discs arranged in rows. Each disc is struck with a hammer to create a distinctive sound. This instrument continues to be used in folk music and traditional performances.
Uichuur
A game consists of 128 long, thin wooden or bone pieces. Each piece has an animal carved onto it, such as a lion, tiger, deer, rabbit or bird. Each piece also has a specific number of points assigned to it.
Uichuur (XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
The Uichuur game features various animal pieces with different point values. For instance, the lion is worth 64 points, while the bird is worth only one point. Players collect pieces by rolling a four on the dice.
At the end, the player with the highest number of points wins.
Prayer wheel (XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
Prayer wheel
One of the customs of traditional Mongolian-Tibetan Buddhism is the use of prayer wheels. Turning a prayer wheel enables one to amass virtue and confess one's sins.
Sacrificial cups and kettle (XX Century)The National Museum of Mongolia
Sacrificial cups and kettle
Seven cups, each containing offerings like tea, milk, and holy water, were arranged before the altar, honoring the gods. These cups symbolized the connection between the spiritual realm and daily life.
Tap to explore
In the National Museum you can find many facets of traditional Mongolian culture, represented by artifacts associated with literature, music, tradition and religion. Walk around the hall to discover more!
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