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CEREMONY OF ONE
At the age of one, each child receives their name and is assigned to a family unit. -
CEREMONY OF TWO
Children receive their comfort objects, which are soft toys meant to provide security and companionship. -
CEREMONY OF THREE
This ceremony marks the stage when children begin their education and move from the Nurturing Center to the Care Center. -
CEREMONY OF FOUR
Children receive jackets with smaller buttons, indicating that they are capable of dressing themselves. -
CEREMONY OF FIVE
Each child is given a front-buttoned jacket, symbolizing their increasing independence. -
CEREMONY OF SIX
Children receive their bicycles, enabling them to travel more freely within the community. -
CEREMONY OF SEVEN
At this ceremony, children have their hair cut short, indicating the end of their carefree years. -
CEREMONY OF EIGHT
This ceremony is significant as it is when children receive their Assignments, which determine their future occupations -
CEREMONY OF NINE
Children are given new clothes, indicating that they are entering a more mature stage of development. -
CEREMONY OF TEN
At this ceremony, children receive their first injections. These injections suppress their "stirrings," which are sexual feelings or desires. This marks the beginning of their journey towards emotional control and the elimination of personal relationships beyond friendship. -
CEREMONY OF ELEVEN
In this ceremony, children receive their final school assignment, which determines their future training and career path. They begin to specialize in a particular field and receive more focused education and training for their future roles in the community. -
CEREMONY OF TWELVE
The most significant ceremony, as it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood. Twelve-year-olds are assigned their lifelong occupations, carefully selected by the Elders based on their abilities, personalities, and aptitudes. Jonas, the main character, is selected to become the Receiver of Memory.