Zyklus

Zyklus is a German noun meaning cycle, referring to a recurring sequence of events, processes, or states that repeat over time. The term is used across disciplines to denote a bounded series of stages that reappear in a regular or recognizable order. It derives from the Latin cyclus via French cycle and is commonly written with a capital Z in German.

In science and daily life, Zyklus describes natural and physical processes that unfold in phases. Examples include the Zellzyklus (cell cycle), which encompasses stages of cell growth, DNA replication, and division; the circadian or diurnal cycle of biological rhythms; and various environmental or ecological cycles, such as the water cycle or seasonal cycles that influence climate and ecosystems. Human health also uses the term for reproductive or menstrual cycles, as well as other periodic patterns in physiology and behavior.

In arts and culture, a Zyklus denotes a set of works linked by a common theme, form, or time frame. In music, a Liederzyklus is a cycle of songs intended to be performed together, such as Schubert’s Winterreise or Die schöne Müllerin. In visual arts and literature, a Kunstzyklus or literarischer Zyklus refers to a series of paintings or writings that form a cohesive whole, often exploring related motifs or narratives.

Other uses include technical and economic contexts, where Zyklus can describe operational or production cycles, and in economics the Kondratiev cycle refers to long-term economic waves. The term remains a flexible, neutral label for any repetitive, phase-based succession of events.