passage, rite of

passage, rite of
Any of numerous ceremonial events, existing in all societies, that mark the passage of an individual from one social or religious status to another.

The term was coined by the French anthropologist Arnold van Gennep (1873–1957) in 1909. Many of the most important rites are connected with the biological stages of life
birth, maturity, reproduction, and death. Other rites celebrate changes that are wholly cultural, such as initiation into special societies. In modern societies, graduation from school is a rite of passage. Scholars often interpret rites of passage as mechanisms by which society confronts and incorporates change without disrupting the equilibrium necessary to social order. See also secret society.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • rite of passage — noun a ritual performed in some cultures at times when an individual changes status (as from adolescence to adulthood) • Hypernyms: ↑ritual, ↑rite * * * : a ritualistic procedure associated with a nonperiodic crisis or a transitional change of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • passage — noun 1 IN A BUILDING (C) a long narrow way with walls on either side which connects one room or place to another; corridor (1): Vaughan s room is just along the passage. | an underground passage 2 A WAY THROUGH (singular) a way through something… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • rite — Synonyms and related words: amenities, anniversaries, baccalaureate service, celebrating, celebration, ceremonial, ceremonies, ceremony, civilities, commemoration, commencement, convocation, custom, dignities, dressing ship, duty, elegancies,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • passage */*/*/ — UK [ˈpæsɪdʒ] / US noun Word forms passage : singular passage plural passages 1) [countable] a long narrow area with walls on each side that leads from one room or place to another There was a small office leading off a passage between the kitchen …   English dictionary

  • passage — pas|sage [ pæsıdʒ ] noun *** ▸ 1 long narrow walled area ▸ 2 short section of something ▸ 3 way through a place ▸ 4 movement over place ▸ 5 process of making law ▸ 6 tube in body ▸ 7 (ticket for) sea trip ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) count a long narrow area …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • passage — passage1 /pas ij/, n., v., passaged, passaging. n. 1. a portion or section of a written work; a paragraph, verse, etc.: a passage of Scripture. 2. a phrase or other division of a musical work. 3. Fine Arts. an area, section, or detail of a work,… …   Universalium

  • Rite d'initiation — Rite de passage Initiation rituelle au Malawi. Un rite de passage (ou rite initiatique) est un rituel marquant le changement de statut social ou sexuel d un individu, le plus généralement la puberté mais aussi pour d autres évènements comme la… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Rite initiatique — Rite de passage Initiation rituelle au Malawi. Un rite de passage (ou rite initiatique) est un rituel marquant le changement de statut social ou sexuel d un individu, le plus généralement la puberté mais aussi pour d autres évènements comme la… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • rite — [ rit ] n. m. • 1535; rit « usage, coutume » v. 1395; lat. ritus REM. La graphie rit est encore utilisée en liturgie. 1 ♦ Ensemble des cérémonies du culte en usage dans une communauté religieuse; organisation traditionnelle de ces cérémonies. ⇒… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Rite of passage (disambiguation) — Rite of passage may refer to:*Rite of passage, a ritual that marks a change in a person s social or sexual statusin music *Rites of Passage (album), the third studio album by the Indigo Girls *Rites of Passage (Hodgson album), an album by Roger… …   Wikipedia

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