Liminality: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:42, 20 October 2006

Revision as of 05:00, 21 October 2006

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==Three stages==

With examples from a college graduation ceremonies.

*''First or preliminary stage''

This change is accomplished by separating the participants from their usual social setting. The students are first separated from the rest of their socialcommunity, both by gathering together and by wearing distinctive groupclothing.

*''The liminal stage''

A period during which one is "betwixt and between", "neither here nor there". When the ceremony is in progress, the participants are no longer students but neither are they yet graduates. This is the distinctive character of liminality.

*''The final or postliminal stage''

A period during which one's new social status is confirmed, and reincorporation. Upon receiving his or her diploma, the student officially becomes a college graduate. The dean and professors shake the student's hand in congratulation, giving public recognition to the student's new status as a person with a college degree.

== ''Communitas'' ==

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===Liminality in rituals===

AIn the simple example is a college [[graduation]] ceremony., the Theliminal studentsphase arecan firstactually separatedbe extended to frominclude the restperiod of theirtime community,between bothwhen bythe gatheringlast togetherassignment andwas byfinished wearing(and distinctivegraduation clothing.was assured) Whenall the ceremonyway isthrough inreception progress,of the participantsdiploma. areThat [[no longerman's studentsland]] butrepresents neitherthe arelimbo theyassociated yetwith graduatesliminality. ThisThe isstress theof distinctiveaccomplishing charactertasks offor liminality.college Uponhas receivingbeen hislifted. or her diplomaYet, the studentindividual officiallyhas becomesnot atransitioned collegeto graduate.a Thenew deanstage andin professorslife shake(psychologically theor student'sphysically). handThe inresult congratulation,is givinga publicunique recognitionperspective toon thewhat student'shas newcome statusbefore, asand awhat personmay with a collegecome degreenext.

The liminal phase of this example can actually be extended to include the period of time between when the last assignment was finished (and graduation was assured) all the way through reception of the diploma. That [[no man's land]] represents the limbo associated with liminality. The stress of accomplishing tasks for college has been lifted. Yet, the individual has not transitioned to a new stage in life (psychologically or physically). The result is a unique perspective on what has come before, and what may come next.

It can include the period between when a couple get engaged and their [[marriage]] or beneath death and burial, for which cultures may or may not have set ritual observances. Even very sexually liberated cultures would make it extraordinarily taboo of an engaged spouse to have sex with another person during this time, versus the milder taboo of cheating on a lover.