A ritual is a structured, often repeated sequence of actions that impacts individuals, groups, or environments, irrespective of conscious understanding, and is observed across all known human and even some non-human societies. These diverse practices range from elaborate religious ceremonies, coronations, and marriages to simple greetings like hand-shaking. First recorded in English in 1570, the word derives from the Latin ritualis, meaning "pertaining to rite" or "correct performance."
Scholars like Catherine Bell characterize rituals by their formalism, traditionalism, rule-governance, and sacral symbolism, often serving to reinforce social hierarchy. While sometimes viewed by outsiders as irrational or illogical, in psychology, the term can also denote repetitive behaviors used to neutralize anxiety, such as those seen in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ultimately, rituals are a fundamental aspect of societal function, providing order and meaning in various forms.