rite of passage: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 11, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	passage rite

Photos

Ancient Roman wall painting in the Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii, showing figures in flowing garments and dramatic poses against a vivid red background, with some damage at the top left.

initiation ritual

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Topics

marriage rite birth rite coming-of-age rite death rite initiation rite Yurupary cerecloth marriage by capture auto-icon grave goods sacrifice purification rite sacrament consecration baptism anointment gift exchange exorcism first-fruits ceremony triumph

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Key People

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Arnold van Gennep

French anthropologist