ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the key elements of ritual, and how their analyses illuminate social dynamics and cultural meanings. An older understanding of rituals viewed them as harmony-inducing and social structure-strengthening ceremonies. Ceremonies and similar behavior were thought to offer participants a model of ideal social relations and structures. Rituals can be divided into two types: main and auxiliary rituals. The former are typically made up of smaller 'rituals within rituals' that perform a supporting, subsidiary role. Such supplementary rituals function as the behavioral building blocks for larger events. Main rituals largely make sense to participants/observers because they have already been exposed to bits of behavior. Auxiliary rituals prime social actors for more complex events and function as behavioral building blocks for the latter. The wedding reception itself can also be broken down into auxiliary rituals. Japanese weddings are known for being exorbitantly priced, though some couples now hold less expensive, more personalized ceremonies.
