The Tibetan Custom of Throwing Tsampa in the Air

There are no written records of the origin of the tradition of throwing tsampa in the air, only oral accounts. It is said to have begun before the introduction of Buddhism, when the people of ancient Tibet observed animistic forms of religion and used the foodstuffs they produced as offerings to their gods. As the Bön religion became more established, the custom of throwing tsampa in the air became a more widespread and established ritual. In the 7th century C.E., it was employed formally at the enthronement of kings and the appointment of ministers, and came to be a mark of joy and prosperity at weddings. By about the 13th century, it had become customary to mark all important occasions of Tibetan life, such as marriages, birthdays and other auspicious occasions, by tossing a pinch of tsampa into the air.
It became especially significant in celebrations of the New Year. An auspicious dialogue would take place between two people, the one making the offering would then take a pinch from tip of a mound of tsampa and throw it in the air crying out, “Tashi Delek”.

The person receiving it would then recite the following verse:

“Tashi Delek, good fortune and good health,
May you achieve unchanging happiness,
and may it ever increase.”

Throwing tsampa in the air in this way is an expression of good wishes for your own and others happiness and the overcoming of all obstacles.

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