Rituals ranging from graduation ceremonies to presidential inaugurations are characterized by three stages that ultimate mark a change from one status to another. These three stages are:

 

           1). Separation from a previous status

            2). Transition (liminality)

            3). Incorporation into a new status

 

Liminality is the state of ambiguity and uncertainty that characterizes the transitional stage of rituals. The idea of liminality was first introduced by folklorist Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957), but further developed by anthropologist Victor Turner (1920 – 1983).

 

According to Turner, social structures are inverted during the liminal stage. This includes social statuses and therefore liminal stages can produce a sense of equality and comradery that Turner identified as ‘communitas’.  

 

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