Lifecycle Ritual: Analysis
Lovat’s Model
- This is a model which can be applied to all rituals.
- Lovats perspective was that all rituals have a beginning, middle and end.
1. Entry
- The constituent of the religion leaves the ordinary or mudane world and enters the
ritual
2. Preparation
- Engages in some type of preparatory rite
3. Central Point
- Experiences a central point or highpoint of the ritual
4. Celebration
- Joins in some form of celebration in the
ritual
5. Return
- Leaves the ritual and returns to the
ordinary world
Venn Gennep’s Model
- Cultures and religions performed rituals that commemorate milestones in their life
such as: bird, passage through puberty, marriage and death.
- He argued all lifecycle rituals (rites of passage) consisted of 3 phases
1.
2.
3.
-
Pre-liminal
Separating from the previous life
Liminal
Transitioning from one stage to another
Post-liminal
The new status or the state of life
Example Life Cycle Ritual: Marriage
Lovatt’s
Entry
Preperation
Climax
Celebration
Return