Calitz, Coenie (Coenraad Josepheus)2011-08-302011-08-302011-08-17Calitz, C., 2011, ‘Liturgical singing as ritual symbol’, Verbum et Ecclesia 32(1), Art. #430, 7 pages. doi:10.4102/ve.v32i1.430.10.4102/ve.v32i1.4301609-9982http://hdl.handle.net/2263/17181Liturgical singing is more than text and melody; it is also symbol and ritual. It is part of the ensemble of rituals within the worship service. As a ritual symbol, it is closely connected to the culture or subculture where it is conducted. Meaning is not only immanent in the text (lyrics), but assigned on a continuous base and differs from culture to culture. As a ritual symbol, liturgical singing does not only point to another reality, but presents the other reality within the cultural context of the worship service; within ritual the music and melody are more important than text and lyrics. Liturgical singing as a ritual symbol is never static, but in a continuous process of change.en© 2011. The Authors. Licensee: OpenJournals Publishing. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Liturgical singingRitual symbolHymns -- Devotional useLiturgicsRites and ceremoniesReligion and cultureMusic -- Religious aspects -- ChristianityChurch musicArticle