A taboo is a social prohibition against a particular act, object, or person. It is stronger than a folkway or a more. Violating a taboo brings severe social punishment, from ostracism to violence. Incest is the most universal taboo. Every known society prohibits it.

Taboos vary across cultures. In some societies, eating pork is taboo. In others, eating beef is taboo. In some, speaking the name of a dead person is forbidden. Taboos often surround the sacred, the dangerous, and the bodily. They mark the boundaries of the moral order.

Common taboos

• Incest
• Cannibalism
• Desecration of sacred objects
• Certain sexual practices
• Eating forbidden foods

Taboos are not always rational. They are symbolic. They express what a society values and fears. Breaking a taboo can be a form of protest or art. But it comes with risk. The stronger the taboo, the stronger the reaction to its violation.