initiation

Initiation is the act of beginning something or the process by which someone is introduced into a group, organization, or system. The term derives from the Latin initium, meaning beginning.

In anthropology and sociology, initiation often refers to rites of passage—rituals that mark a transition such as adolescence, gender status, or membership in a community. Classic analyses describe three phases: separation from the old role, liminality or a transitional state, and incorporation as a fully recognized member. These rites can include instruction, tests, symbolic acts, and the granting of new status.

Across cultures, initiation rites vary widely in form and meaning but commonly aim to effect social change and transmit norms, knowledge, or prestige. Some rites emphasize ritual purity, communal testing, or oath-taking; others focus on education, mentorship, or symbolic death and rebirth. The practices may be religious, secular, ceremonial, or practical, and they often reflect broader social structures and values.

In modern contexts, initiation also refers to onboarding or induction of new members into clubs, workplaces, or military units. These processes typically include orientation, training, and the granting of access or responsibilities associated with membership. In everyday use, initiation can simply denote the start of a procedure or project.

In biology and biochemistry, initiation denotes the first step in a process, such as the initiation of transcription or the initiation phase of DNA replication. In medicine and toxicology, the term is used in the context of the initiation stage of disease processes, though such uses are specialized.

Related concepts include rites of passage, induction, onboarding, and initiation rites in various cultural traditions.