Ritual is repetition taken into action. It is embedded with human meaning before and or after the repetition. For example an action of utilitarian purposes is repeated across generations and later is attributed to abstract meanings. Or an action is purely symbolic and later is connected to practical purposes or explanations.

It is the most impossible task to try to subtract meaning from the symbol.

Just like the repetition of a dot in space implies a line that will continue infinitely into the universe, the ritual act draws a linear connection for the individual throughout past present and eternity.