One of the inspirable things of Tsagaan Sar holiday is a ritual to make a greeting by exchanging Khoorog or snuff bottle. It is considered that Mongolians have the greatest number of words of greeting, and the greeting with snuff bottle is the unique and popular among Mongolians to express friendly relations to each other. It has become one of the valuable cultural pieces of Mongolians and their custom.
During the Tsagaan Sar celebration, guests greet a family’s host by exchanging snuff bottle after greeting each other. Each person holds their snuff bottles in their palm holding it in a vertical position.
Although the greeting with snuff bottle is done every day during various events, the ritual of exchanging snuff bottle is vividly seen on days of the Tsagaan Sar celebration. People in beautiful national clothes offer snuff bottle made of precious stone to each other, and it looks very magnificent.
The snuff bottles are made of jewels or precious stones, and the top or cap is made of precious stones, gold or silver. The bottle contains fragrant snuff. Holding snuff bottle is used for representing good relations and expresses wealth of people.
Snuff bottle is normally carried in beautifully embroidered silk pouch which is called Mongolians Daalin.The daalin cost ranges from 500 to 1000 US dollar depending on style and materials, sometimes it costs higher than the above price.
Apart of greeting with snuff bottles for respecting elders or expressing mutual respect, people who have quarreled exchange snuff bottles for a verbal apology.
The cost of snuff bottle is depending on which kind of precious stones they are made of, on its design and on who had owned it before. The snuff bottles made of very rare precious stones and owned by famous people are very expensive. Snuff bottles are commonly made of jade, chalcedony, coral, pearl, lazurite and turquoise and they have own symbols and charm. For example, the snuff bottle made of coral has the magic of improving brain memory, healing wounds, and cures illness of throat.
Recent times, Mongolians use snuff bottles for costume jewelry and collects them for hobby of antique items.