Rites of Passage

The term "rites of passage" is, in essence, an academic construct predominantly situated within the domain of folklore studies. It denotes the ceremonies and rituals conducted to mark an individual's transition from one social status to another.

Across global societies, pivotal moments in the human lifecycle are universally commemorated through distinct ceremonial practices. While various cultures emphasize different developmental stages and celebrate them in profoundly diverse ways, the Chinese observance of these milestones bears the profound imprint of Confucianism.

It is widely acknowledged that Confucianism has exerted a deep and enduring influence on Chinese society and culture, fundamentally shaping the moral conduct and social behavior of its people. Diverging from theistic religions like Christianity and Islam, Confucianism does not constitute a comprehensive theological system. Rather, it is fundamentally a corpus of ethical and philosophical tenets. Since the Han Dynasty, the Confucian tradition has formally codified four principal rites of passage: those pertaining to Birth, Adulthood, Marriage, and Death.