In the Mongolian yurt, life is punctuated by tradition, and many rules and taboos govern domestic behavior, even if these rules tend to be relaxed nowadays.

The most common taboos are:

• Lean against or pass between the posts of the yurt. This custom undoubtedly has very practical origins, but also expresses the symbolism of posts as a source of strength in the home.

• Walk on the threshold. It is considered inauspicious to step or stumble on the threshold of the yurt when entering. People traveling in Mongolia in the Middle Ages reported that anyone who stepped on the threshold of the Khan's palace was put to death

• Extend your arms to touch both sides of the doorframe. The cross in front of the house door is traditionally a symbol that a death has come and that visitors should keep their distance. Touching both sides of the doorframe while extending one's arms is therefore considered a bad omen.

• Putting trash on the fire. Since fire is considered the purest of the elements, no waste should be thrown into it.

• Mix dirty and clean stuff. Mongols have a high regard for cleanliness, and they believe that allowing dirty objects to touch clean objects will contaminate the latter. So, in accordance with this custom, it is unacceptable, for example, to put dirty clothes in the family chest.

• Walk or sit north of someone older than you. Although Mongols adhere less rigidly to Confucian values ​​than other Asian peoples, elders are traditionally accorded considerable respect. The oldest and most respected visitors sit at the back of the yurt, with the others sitting beside them in descending order of age.

• Pass between the fire and the bottom of the yurt. The fire and the back of the house are the two most sacred parts of the yurt; the nomads believe that a line of energy passes between these two points, and it should not be broken. All visitors must therefore enter and exit on the same side.

• Walk counter-clockwise. The "nar zuv", literally "the direction of the rotation of the sun" refers in Mongolia to clockwise. The Mongols believe that everything in the universe belongs to the cycles of time and movement, and it is important to move in harmony with these cycles. So when the roof of the house is folded down, for example, you have to walk in the yurt in a clockwise direction.

• Bring weapons into the foyer. Before entering the house, the visitor must remove his knife from his belt and hang it for all to see, thus indicating his friendly intentions.

   

Other customs govern the manner of receiving guests. Mongolians generally show great respect to visitors, and will welcome anyone into their home without an appointment first. When a visitor arrives he must call "nokhoi khor!" which means "Hold your dog" and that whether or not there is a dog. Someone from the family will then come out of the yurt and invite you to come inside.

The three main types of reception are tsailaga, budaalaga, and dailaga; literally offering tea, offering rice, and offering dinner. The custom of tsailaga is the most widespread, and is followed when a person respectfully offers tea to their visitor, relative or friend; when a nomadic family has just moved in and wishes to meet its new neighbours; or on any vacation. Budaalaga and dailaga are similar but show greater respect for the visitor.