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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''' 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 [[groups|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.