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The Importance of Ceremony
The Oxford Dictionary states the meaning of Ceremony as, "A formal religious or public occasion, especially one celebrating a particular event, achievement, or anniversary". Wikipedia describes a Ceremony as, "A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion". The word may be of Etruscan origin, via the Latin caerimonia.... so what does that mean?
A Ceremony is usually performed to mark a rite of passage such as Birth, Baptism or Naming, Coming of Age, Graduation, Marriage, Retirement, Death and Funeral.
Ceremonies are performed at different times in our lives to celebrate an important occasion such as a special birthday, anniversary and receiving a special award. They are also incorporated into special events such as the opening and closing of sports events such Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, the Inauguration of a Monarch, President or renowned leader and Remembrance Days such as the 11th of November.
Ceremonies form part of many religious events such as the Holy Communion, the Sabbath day, Holy Week, Bar Mitzvah, Chinese New Year and Pilgrimages. Ceremonies therefore hold an extremely important place in our lives. Ceremonies mark life’s essential moments. They may reflect our beliefs, hopes, traditions, culture and spirituality but they must express who we are. A ceremony can help to show people they are united and that they belong. They can motivate us, stimulate our emotions and prompt memories.
The positive effects of a Ceremony are universal across civilisations and are not specific to age or gender. It can have many different elements but a ceremony will usually integrate into the desired theme, a procession, poetry, music, choreography and symbolism with the aim to emotionally embed and imprint the event into the memory of each individual.
A well-thought out and lovingly conducted ceremony, through its words and symbolism can provide a gateway for the person involved to move from one phase of their life to another. For instance in a Funeral the aim of the ceremony is to allow the grieving family to celebrate the life of their loved one and move onto the new phase of their lives without that person. A Graduation Ceremony honours and recognises the achievement of the graduate and is the gateway for them to move from a student to a working life.
If you have a special occasion that you would like to celebrate with a ceremony please check out our directory of TCN Celebrant to find one near you.
Comments 1
I am officiating a wedding soon that includes a Moari and Aboriginal welcoming, a Jewish ritual, a wiccan ritual, a candle, sand and salt ritual, a hand fasting, family unity and glass breaking ritual - all in the one wedding. They want to acknowledge all of their cultures.