ritual: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	rite

Photos and Videos

Ritual bathing in the Ganges

Celebration of mass

A family gathers around a table of food set for Passover seder, singing the prayer song Dayenu in their home.

Large red torii gate with a curved roof stands in the water at the Itsukushima Shrine on Itsuku Island, Japan, with mountains and shoreline in the background.

shamans in South Korea

Thousands of Muslim pilgrims gather around the Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with two minarets and city buildings in the background.

Group of people celebrating the New Year with streamers.

Observe the Dogon Dancers of Mali Performing Wearing Kanaga Masks

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

sacrifice rite of passage purification rite sacrament sacred dance Feralia evocatio sacramental liturgy first-fruits ceremony Kinship ideology pilgrimage authority Property leisure sustainability Folklore Social issue citizenship

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

default image

Gamaliel II

Jewish scholar

default image

Kou Qianzhi

Chinese Daoist

default image

Tu Kuang-t’ing

Taoist scholar