Characteristics of Rituals

1. Characteristics of Rituals There are eight of them! Ready????

2. #1 Movements and Gestures with Meaning • These actions have meaning beyond the literal actions…. • Shaking hands • Clapping • Waving

3. # 2 Repeated Actions Ritual actions are often repeated because they are worth doing more than once. …sometimes the meaning of the ritual is in repeating the action….. e.g. going to grave to visit a loved one’s grave every year brings the family close together…

4. # 3 Symbolic Celebrations Rituals often become symbolic celebrations that break us out of life’s routines. These celebrations can be fun but they have a serious side. Example: The Olympics

5. # 4 • Important Events • Rituals are connected to important events in a person’s life…often a “first” • Rituals mark special occasions in a person’s life

6. # 5 Significant words • Rituals often include words that underscore the significance of the actions. • e.g., Drinking a toast • Words are NOT always part of a ritual-Words are secondary and supportive to the action. Sometimes the words diminish the power of the ritual.

7. # 6 Linkages to the Past Rituals connect people to their past and reminds them of who they are. People seek to keep alive the ideals and inspirations handed down to them.

8. # 7 Communal Action • In rituals people come together to celebrate being part of a community • Even private prayer connects us to a larger community.

9. # 8 • Participation, Not Observation • People make rituals by participating in them, it is not enough to observe rituals. • We do not need to know all that they mean intellectually but we must enter into them wholeheartedly. • Simply going through the motions is not enough to transform us.