AI Teacher's Answer:
ULAN BATOR, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Mongolians are set to celebrate the Lunar New Year to welcome the Year of the Dog, a traditional festival known as the "White Moon" in the country.According to the lunar calendar, the White Moon this year begins on Friday, which symbolizes the start of spring and the end of a harsh winter.The White Moon is actually a combination of ringing the old year out and the new year in, as well as a celebration when families get together.As a great family festival in Mongolia with many ceremonies, the White Moon has been celebrated for several centuries by Mongolians.The festival dates back to 1206 when the Great Mongol Empire was established. Back then, Mongolians celebrated the Lunar New Year in the early months of winter, calling it the "Dairy Festival" on the order of Genghis Khan.The festival later became known as the "Herder's Festival" and was celebrated only by herders from 1952 to 1990, and has spread nationwide since. People celebrate it in hopes of having a plentiful new year and erasing all misfortunes of the previous year.
