Arnold van Gennep, a French ethnographer and folklorist, defined rites of passage as ceremonies that mark an individual’s transition from one social status or stage of life to another. In his 1909 work Les Rites de Passage, he introduced a three-phase model that these rituals typically follow:
- Separation (Séparation) – The individual is detached from their previous role, status, or community. This often involves symbolic actions such as isolation, wearing special clothing, or undergoing purification rituals.
- Transition (Liminality) (Liminalité) – A period of ambiguity, where the person exists between their old and new identities. This phase is often marked by challenges, trials, or learning experiences.
- Incorporation (Reintegration) (Agrégation) – The individual is reintegrated into society with their new role, status, or identity. This is often celebrated with feasts, gifts, or formal recognition.
Van Gennep’s framework has been widely applied in anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to analyze rituals such as birth ceremonies, initiations, marriage, and funerals.