Final answer:
Arnold Van Gennep characterized the rites of passage by three stages: separation, liminality, and incorporation, which mark significant life transitions such as birth, marriage, or initiation into adulthood.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arnold Van Gennep characterized the rites of passage by 3 interconnected stages: separation, liminality, and incorporation. During the first stage, separation, individuals are distanced from their current social status as they begin preparations for transitioning into a new phase in life. The second stage, liminality, is a transitional period where individuals may undergo trials or receive teachings that prepare them for their future roles within society. The final stage, incorporation, signifies the return to the community with a new and socially recognized status.
Examples of rites of passage include initiation rituals in African societies, where young people undergo these three stages—starting with separation from their usual environment, moving to instruction and transformation during the liminality phase, and culminating in their re-entry into society with a new status during incorporation. Such rituals mark significant life transitions and are a universal aspect of human cultures.