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[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Ritual_bread1.jpg|right|frame|<center>[http://www.omda.bg/engl/ethnography/ritual_bread.htm Ritual Bread]</center>]]
[[Image:lighterstill.jpg]][[Image:Ritual_bread1.jpg|right|frame|<center>[http://www.omda.bg/engl/ethnography/ritual_bread.htm Ritual Bread]</center>]]
A '''ritual''' is a set of actions, often thought to have [[symbol]]ic value, the performance of which is usually prescribed by a [[religion]] or by the traditions of a [[community]] by religious or political [[law]]s because of the perceived efficacy of those actions.[http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/ritual?view=uk|title=AskOxford.com][http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ritual|title=Dictionary.com]
A '''ritual''' is a set of actions, often thought to have [[symbols|symbolic]] [[value]], the performance of which is usually prescribed by a [[religion]] or by the traditions of a [[community]] by religious or political [[law]]s because of the perceived efficacy of those actions.[http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/ritual?view=uk|title=AskOxford.com][http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ritual|title=Dictionary.com]
A ritual may be performed at regular intervals, or on specific occasions, or at the discretion of [[individual]]s or communities. It may be performed by a single individual, by a [[group]], or by the entire [[community]]; in arbitrary places, or in places especially reserved for it; either in [[public]], in [[private]], or before specific people. A ritual may be restricted to a certain subset of the community, and may enable or underscore the passage between religious or social states.
A ritual may be performed at regular intervals, or on specific occasions, or at the discretion of [[individual]]s or communities. It may be performed by a single individual, by a [[group]], or by the entire [[community]]; in arbitrary places, or in places especially reserved for it; either in [[public]], in [[private]], or before specific people. A ritual may be restricted to a certain subset of the community, and may enable or underscore the passage between religious or social states.
The purposes of rituals are varied; they include compliance with religious obligations or ideals, satisfaction of spiritual or emotional needs of the practitioners, strengthening of social bonds, demonstration of respect or submission, stating one's affiliation, obtaining social acceptance or approval for some event — or, sometimes, just for the pleasure of the ritual itself.
The purposes of rituals are varied; they include compliance with religious obligations or ideals, satisfaction of spiritual or emotional needs of the practitioners, strengthening of social bonds, demonstration of respect or submission, stating one's affiliation, obtaining social acceptance or approval for some event — or, sometimes, just for the pleasure of the ritual itself.
Rituals of various kinds are a feature of almost all known [[human]] societies, past or present. They include not only the various [[worship]] rites and sacraments of organized religions and cults, but also the rites of passage of certain societies, oaths of allegiance, coronations, and presidential inaugurations, marriages and funerals, school "rush" traditions and graduations, club meetings, sports events, Halloween parties, veteran parades, Christmas shopping and more. Many activities that are ostensibly performed for concrete purposes, such as jury trials, execution of criminals, and scientific [[symposia]], are loaded with purely [[symbol]]ic actions prescribed by regulations or tradition, and thus partly ritualistic in nature. Even common actions like hand-shaking and saying [[hello]] are rituals.
Rituals of various kinds are a feature of almost all known [[human]] societies, past or present. They include not only the various [[worship]] rites and sacraments of organized religions and cults, but also the rites of passage of certain societies, oaths of allegiance, coronations, and presidential inaugurations, marriages and funerals, school "rush" traditions and graduations, club meetings, sports events, Halloween parties, veteran parades, Christmas shopping and more. Many activities that are ostensibly performed for concrete purposes, such as jury trials, execution of criminals, and scientific [[symposia]], are loaded with purely [[symbols|symbolic]] actions prescribed by regulations or tradition, and thus partly ritualistic in nature. Even common actions like hand-shaking and saying [[hello]] are rituals.
In any case, an essential feature of a ritual is that the actions and their symbolism are not arbitrarily chosen by the performers, nor dictated by [[logic]] or necessity, but either are prescribed and imposed upon the performers by some external source or are inherited unconsciously from social traditions.
In any case, an essential feature of a ritual is that the actions and their [[symbols|symbolism]] are not arbitrarily chosen by the performers, nor dictated by [[logic]] or necessity, but either are prescribed and imposed upon the performers by some external source or are inherited unconsciously from social traditions.
==Ritual actions==
==Ritual actions==