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Many religions have festivals or other events organized within the framework of the annual cycle or even of much longer periods. At each such event within a cycle specific symbolic considerations are stressed, each qualitatively different from the others although together they are perceived as constituting a coherent response to existential needs. Some of these events may be tied to particular individuals (e.g. saints). It is recognized that people may feel greater attachment to some of these events than to others.
Metaphor
The annual cycle, as well as other cycles, could provide a basis for interrelating alternating events which each stress one of the existential concerns of life on earth. The aim being to stress the complete range of such concerns.
[Features]The cyclic organization of variety and the subtle contrasts in forms of presentation whereby their qualitative distinctions are maintained.
[Contrast]This approach is used in an essentially tokenistic manner in the form of various 'World Days' sponsored by the United Nations and other bodies (e.g. for refugees, environment, etc). These are not viewed as integrated within a cycle and the agencies responsible for any one event are seldom aware of others, and feel no need to be. The approach is also applied in the series of 'International Years' (approved by the United Nations and other bodies), but these do not as yet repeat within any cycle.
[Keys]Nature of the distinctions possible between events. Preservation of the integrity of the cycle. Significance of the cycle as a whole.