Tradition
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| - | A '''tradition''' is a [[belief]] or [[behavior]] passed down within a [[group]] or [[society]] with [[symbolic]] meaning or special significance with origins in the [[past]]. Common examples include [[holiday]]s or [[impractical]] but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyer wigs or military officer [[spur]]s), but the idea has also been applied to [[social norm]]s such as [[greeting]]s. Traditions can persist and evolve for thousands of years—the word "tradition" itself derives from the [[Latin]] ''tradere'' or ''traderer'' literally meaning to [[transmit]], to hand over, to give for safekeeping. While it is commonly assumed that traditions have [[ancient history]], many traditions have been [[invented]] on purpose, whether that be political or cultural, over short periods of time. Certain scholarly fields, such as [[anthropology]] and [[biology]], have adapted the term "tradition," defining it more precisely than its conventional use in order to facilitate scholarly discourse. | + | A '''tradition''' is a [[belief]] or behavior ('''folk custom''') passed down within a group or [[society]] with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of [[cultural expressions]] and [[folklore]], common examples include [[Holiday|holidays]] or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like [[court dress|lawyers' wig]]s or military officers' [[spur]]s), but the [[idea]] has also been applied to [[social norms]] such as greetings. Traditions can persist and evolve for thousands of years—the word ''tradition'' itself derives from the [[Latin]] ''tradere'' literally meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping. While it is commonly assumed that traditions have an ancient history, many traditions have been invented on purpose, whether that be political or cultural, over short periods of time. Various [[Academic discipline|academic disciplines]] also use the word in a variety of ways. |
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| + | The phrase "according to tradition", or "by tradition", usually means that whatever information follows is known only by oral tradition, but is not supported (and perhaps may be refuted) by physical documentation, by a physical artifact, or other quality evidence. ''Tradition'' is used to indicate the quality of a piece of information being discussed. For example, "According to tradition, [[Homer]] was born on [[Chios]], but many other locales have historically claimed him as theirs." This tradition may never be proven or disproven. In another example, "[[King Arthur]], by tradition a true British king, has inspired many well loved stories." Whether they are documented fact or not does not decrease their value as cultural history and literature.{{Fact|date=September 2022}} | ||
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| + | Traditions are a subject of study in several academic fields, especially in [[social sciences]] such as [[folklore studies]], [[anthropology]], [[history]], and [[archaeology]]. | ||
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| + | The concept of tradition, as the notion of holding on to a previous time, is also found in political and philosophical discourse. For example, it is the basis of the political concept of [[Traditionalist conservatism|traditionalism]], and also strands of many world religions including [[traditional Catholicism]]. In artistic contexts, tradition is used to decide the correct display of an [[art form]]. For example, in the performance of traditional genres (such as traditional dance), adherence to guidelines dictating how an art form should be composed are given greater importance than the performer's own preferences. A number of factors can exacerbate the [[loss of tradition]], including [[industrialization]], [[globalization]], and the assimilation or [[marginalization]] of specific cultural groups. In response to this, tradition-preservation attempts have now been started in many countries around the world, focusing on aspects such as traditional [[Language|languages]]. Tradition is usually contrasted with the goal of [[modernity]] and should be differentiated from customs, conventions, [[law]]s, [[Social norm|norms]], routines, rules and similar concepts. | ||
| - | The concept of tradition, as the notion of holding on to a previous time, is also found in political and philosophical discourse. In [[artistic]] contexts, tradition is used to decide the correct display of an [[art form]]. For example, in the performance of traditional genres (such as traditional dance), adherence to guidelines dictating how an art form should be composed are given greater importance than the performer's own preferences. A number of factors can exacerbate the loss of tradition, including [[industrialization]], [[globalization]], and the [[assimilation]] or [[marginalization]] of specific [[cultural group]]s. In response to this, tradition-preservation attempts have now been started in many countries around the world, focusing on aspects such as traditional languages. Tradition is usually contrasted with the goal of [[modernity]] and should be differentiated from [[custom]]s, [[convention]]s, [[law]]s, [[norm]]s, [[routine]]s, [[rule]]s and similar concepts. | ||
| - | ==In artistic discourse== | ||
| - | In artistic contexts, in the performance of traditional genres (such as [[traditional dance]]), adherence to traditional guidelines is of greater importance than performer's preferences. It is often the unchanging form of certain arts that leads to their perception as traditional. For artistic endeavors, tradition has been used as a contrast to ''[[creativity]]'', with traditional and [[folk art]] associated with unoriginal imitation or repetition, in contrast to [[fine art]], which is valued for being original and unique. More recent philosophy of art, however, considers interaction with tradition as integral to the development of new artistic expression. | ||
| - | ==Further reading== | ||
| - | *''[[Tradition and the Individual Talent|Tradition and the Individual Talent]]'' (1919) by T. S. Eliot | ||
| - | *''[[The Tradition of the New]]'' (1959) by Harold Rosenberg | ||
| - | ==Namesakes== | ||
| - | *''[[The Immoral Tradition]]'' by Fernando Henriques | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| - | * [[Aition]] | ||
| - | * [[Conservatism]] | ||
| * [[Folklore]] | * [[Folklore]] | ||
| + | * [[Origin myth]] | ||
| * [[Perennial philosophy]] | * [[Perennial philosophy]] | ||
| - | * [[Ševčenko's law]] | + | * [[Sacred tradition]] |
| - | * [[Intangible culture]] | + | * [[Traditionalism]] |
| - | * [[Time immemorial]] | + | |
| - | * [[Traditional medicine]] | + | |
| - | * [[Traditional music]] | + | |
| - | * [[Traditional story]] | + | |
| - | * [[Kissing traditions]] | + | |
| - | * [[Oral tradition]] | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Comparison / Contrast | + | |
| - | * [[Avant-garde]] | + | |
| - | * [[Neophilia]] | + | |
| - | * [[Folklore]] | + | |
| - | * [[History]] | + | |
| - | + | ||
| - | Spiritual Culture | + | |
| - | * [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] | + | |
| - | * [[Celts]] | + | |
| - | + | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Revision as of 08:25, 29 July 2023
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"TRADITION has in no instance so clearly evinced her faith fulness as in the transmittal of vulgar rites and popular opinions."--Popular Antiquities (1777) by John Brand |
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A tradition is a belief or behavior (folk custom) passed down within a group or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common examples include holidays or impractical but socially meaningful clothes (like lawyers' wigs or military officers' spurs), but the idea has also been applied to social norms such as greetings. Traditions can persist and evolve for thousands of years—the word tradition itself derives from the Latin tradere literally meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping. While it is commonly assumed that traditions have an ancient history, many traditions have been invented on purpose, whether that be political or cultural, over short periods of time. Various academic disciplines also use the word in a variety of ways.
The phrase "according to tradition", or "by tradition", usually means that whatever information follows is known only by oral tradition, but is not supported (and perhaps may be refuted) by physical documentation, by a physical artifact, or other quality evidence. Tradition is used to indicate the quality of a piece of information being discussed. For example, "According to tradition, Homer was born on Chios, but many other locales have historically claimed him as theirs." This tradition may never be proven or disproven. In another example, "King Arthur, by tradition a true British king, has inspired many well loved stories." Whether they are documented fact or not does not decrease their value as cultural history and literature.Template:Fact
Traditions are a subject of study in several academic fields, especially in social sciences such as folklore studies, anthropology, history, and archaeology.
The concept of tradition, as the notion of holding on to a previous time, is also found in political and philosophical discourse. For example, it is the basis of the political concept of traditionalism, and also strands of many world religions including traditional Catholicism. In artistic contexts, tradition is used to decide the correct display of an art form. For example, in the performance of traditional genres (such as traditional dance), adherence to guidelines dictating how an art form should be composed are given greater importance than the performer's own preferences. A number of factors can exacerbate the loss of tradition, including industrialization, globalization, and the assimilation or marginalization of specific cultural groups. In response to this, tradition-preservation attempts have now been started in many countries around the world, focusing on aspects such as traditional languages. Tradition is usually contrasted with the goal of modernity and should be differentiated from customs, conventions, laws, norms, routines, rules and similar concepts.
See also
