O uso de ritos e rituais no fechamento de ciclos da vida humana

Abstract

The present article provides a literature review on the importance of rites and ritual ceremonies as symbolic practices that structure the transitions of human life. Rites and rituals are symbolic actions that mark the closing of cycles, representing the passage from one stage to another. They serve to reframe experiences, facilitate emotional detachment, and prepare individuals for new beginnings. The study sought to identify rituals related to birth, adolescence, marriage, old age, and death, analyzing them from psychological, social, and cultural perspectives. The results indicated that rituals perform fundamental functions, such as emotional regulation in situations of uncertainty, the strengthening of social bonds, and the transmission of cultural values across generations. It was also found that rites of passage, as systematized by Van Gennep, remain universal and relevant even in contemporary societies. The study concludes that rituals, far from being obsolete practices, constitute indispensable mediating mechanisms for maintaining mental health, social cohesion, and cultural continuity.