13 Ancient Rituals That Still Influence Us Today
These 13 ancient rituals may seem distant, but their influence still shapes how we act, celebrate, and think today.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Many traditions that began thousands of years ago continue to guide modern behavior. Some have evolved into cultural habits, religious customs, or public ceremonies. Understanding their origins helps explain why we do things the way we do, even in today’s world.
1. Burial Rites (Ancient Egypt)
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Ancient Egyptians believed in preparing the dead for the afterlife with rituals, goods, and mummification. Today, many cultures still follow structured burial ceremonies with symbolic gestures like offerings, prayers, and specific dress codes. These customs reflect a continuing belief in honoring the dead and supporting their journey beyond death. The emphasis on respectful farewells comes directly from early burial traditions.
2. Olympic Games (Ancient Greece)
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The first Olympic Games were held in Olympia in 776 BCE as a religious festival to honor Zeus. The modern Olympics keep the idea of physical excellence, ceremony, and national pride alive. While the religious element is gone, the format of global athletic competition follows the original model. Even the torch relay and opening ceremonies have roots in ancient rituals.
3. Marriage Ceremonies (Various Civilizations)
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Rituals around marriage — like vows, rings, and feasts — can be traced to early societies, including the Romans and Hindus. These customs symbolized union, family ties, and social contracts. Modern weddings still carry these functions, even when religious or legal meanings shift. The emotional and public nature of marriage ceremonies has stayed consistent through the centuries.
4. New Year Celebrations (Babylon)
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The Babylonians marked the New Year during the spring equinox with Akitu, a festival that included rituals of renewal, sacrifice, and promises to the gods. Modern New Year traditions like resolutions and celebrations echo this sense of starting fresh. While the spiritual parts are mostly gone, the idea of reflection and renewal persists. The ritual of marking time and progress remains central.
5. Harvest Festivals (Ancient China, Egypt, Rome)
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Civilizations relied on agriculture and created festivals to thank deities for a successful harvest. Today’s versions, such as Thanksgiving or harvest fairs, still involve gratitude, sharing food, and community gathering. These events preserve the original theme of seasonal cycles and dependence on nature. Ritual meals and offerings remain part of the cultural memory.
6. Coming-of-Age Rituals (Tribal Societies)
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Many tribal communities marked adulthood with physical tests, symbolic acts, or spiritual ceremonies. Bar and bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, and graduations continue that tradition. These events recognize a shift in social status and responsibility. They carry both cultural and emotional weight, just as ancient rites did.
7. Meditation and Mindfulness (Ancient India and China)
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Practices like yoga and seated meditation began as spiritual disciplines meant to connect body and mind. Modern versions are often used for stress relief and mental health, but the techniques remain unchanged. Breathing, posture, and inner focus still define the experience. Their continued use shows the lasting power of ancient self-awareness practices.
8. Anointing and Blessing (Biblical and Pagan Rituals)
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In many traditions, oils and sacred substances were used to bless leaders, infants, and warriors. Today, similar acts happen in baptisms, coronations, and even sports rituals. The idea of marking someone as special through touch and substance has not disappeared. It’s adapted to new meanings but kept the same core gesture.
9. Sacrifice and Offering (Aztec, Vedic, and Greek Practices)
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While literal sacrifices are mostly gone, the idea of giving something valuable for a larger purpose remains. Charitable giving, fasting, and symbolic religious offerings come from these ancient practices. These acts were ways to gain favor, express gratitude, or show devotion. Today’s forms are less extreme but still meaningful.
10. Public Processions (Rome and Egypt)
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Ancient processions were used to show power, celebrate gods, or honor the dead. Parades, military marches, and religious walks follow the same pattern. Movement through public space with a message or purpose is a long-standing ritual that connects individuals with a larger community or tradition.
11. Divination and Fortune-Telling (Mesopotamia, Greece, China)
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People used signs, stars, and objects to predict the future or make decisions. While modern society is more scientific, astrology, tarot, and superstition remain popular. These are modern echoes of ancient ways to deal with uncertainty. Humans still seek meaning and guidance in the unknown.
12. Pilgrimage (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism)
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Journeys to sacred places were part of religious life in many cultures. They served as both physical and spiritual acts of devotion. Today’s pilgrimages include visits to Mecca, Varanasi, Jerusalem, and even secular sites like memorials. The idea of travel for transformation has not changed.
13. Fire Rituals (Vedic, Celtic, Zoroastrian)
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Fire was often seen as a purifier, protector, or messenger to the gods. Bonfires, candles, and eternal flames are still part of many ceremonies. Using fire to mark sacred or emotional moments connects modern practices to very old beliefs. It remains a symbol of both destruction and renewal.