There are four main parts in the Mongolian wrestling costumes:
1. Four-sided soldier hat
2. Shoulder vest & snug shorts (zodog & shuudag)
3. Cloak
4. Traditional boots
Hat: A Wrestler’s hat has lots of significance in its garments. Four-sides, for example, connote the four major provinces Mongolia used to be divided into in the early 1900s; and nowadays, silver carvings of a champion, a lion, an elephant, and a hawk – titles given to winning wrestlers – could be placed on the sides of the hat. Mongolians, in general, never put their hats or caps, which go on top of a person, on the ground. Especially, wrestlers’ hats are treated with special care and dignity and therefore, never put on the ground or elsewhere considered non-sacred.
Shoulder vest & snug shorts (zodog & shuudag): Only men are allowed to exercise the Mongolian wrestling. However a legend tells that, in the early days, a female wrestler competed in the national wrestling competition on behalf of her aged father and ultimately won the game. At the time, wrestlers wore a vest that covered their chests and therefore, the female wrestler was able to compete throughout the game without being noticed of her gender. Since that incident, at Mongolian wrestling, participants were obliged to wear a chest-open shoulder vests.
Special techniques and fabrics are used for making wrestlers’ costumes which usually come in red or blue. Blue obviously signifies eternal blue sky in Mongolia and red signifies eternal flame which would be carried on through the generations of wrestlers of Mongolia.
Cloak: In the wrestling field, wrestlers come in two wings: right and left. Wrestlers with the highest titles lead each wing and wear cloaks, made of delicate fabrics and special technique. Nowadays though, it is uncommon that a leading wrestler wears the cloak.
Traditional boots: Traditional Mongolian boots have upturned toes which enable wrestlers stay stable, and not to be trapped. For extra stability, wrestlers tie straps around their boots.