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  A life-cycle event, also known as a "rite of passage/7 is a person's progression from one stage of life to another. An individual's key life-cycle events—birth, puberty (coming of age), marriage, and death—are important occasions in most societies and cultures worldwide. Other personal milestones—celebrating birthdays and name days, graduating from school, getting a first job, paying off a mortgage, becoming a grandparent— are also occasions for marking a person's advancement in life.
    The events indentified as important vary from place to place, from time to time, and from one culture to another. Among most cultures, however, a new stage in life usually calls for a celebration, perhaps a ritual, and almost always food. Sometimes life-cycle events are marked by an official rite of passage that formally removes individuals from an earlier status or role and officially places them in a new role that includes different rights and responsibilities. In other situations, life milestones are marked or celebrated without such an official rite, but with recognition and celebration of other kinds. Some of these practices are defined by religious leaders or teachings. Some are the customs of the ethnic group or national community. Often, the life-cycle celebrations are surrounded with familiar customs and traditions, anticipated by all involved. Many of these customs are rooted in religious traditions, but some of the beliefs can be traced back to more ancient customs.   
    Today in most countries these beliefs, often called good luck and bad luck, are still very strong. For example, throwing rice at newlyweds to send them on their way at the end of a wedding is supposed to "shower luck" on their life together. Tying shoes on their getaway car is another act for "good luck." The groom seeing the bride before the wedding is sometimes considered "bad luck." Consulting the stars for an auspicious date, rubbing oil on an infant during baptism to ward off the devil, and eating longevity noodles are all rituals that have been passed from generation to generation. Life-cycle rituals vary from culture to culture and nation to nation. Some customs are more understandable to outsiders than others. Throughout the world, life-cycle celebrations reveal the very heart of the family and the culture. Continuing the ancestral lifecycle customs and rituals give continuity and a sense of belonging and substance to each new generation.