Initiation is a process or ceremony that marks the BEGINNING of a new stage in someone's life. It is often associated with rites of passage, which are ceremonies that mark a person's transition from one stage of life to another. Initiation is often used to signify the start of adulthood, and can involve rituals such as fasting, prayer, and other activities. It is also used to signify the start of membership in a group or organization, and can involve rituals such as oaths, secret handshakes, and other activities. The term initiation is derived from the Latin word initium, meaning 'BEGINNING'.