A ceremony in some cultures marking the passing to another, more advanced stage, as to puberty or adulthood.

defines those stages all human beings pass through and designates between one stage and another. The rite itself is made up of three main culturally defined stages, separation (from a previous stage), threshold (betwixt and between stage) neither what was or will be, a reincorporation (a higher level of status and responsibility) likened to a new being. This process outlines the progress of humans; as defined by culture.

rituals that accompany a change of social status such as age-grade, office, marriage status, etc.

significant events which predictably signal or accompany a life stage in a particular culture. Some are formal (driver's license or marriage), while even more are informal (first date, first job). Sometimes ceremonies mark the transition from one life stage to another.

ceremonies that mark a critical transition in the life of an individual from one phase of the life cycle to another.