Cultural universals are general practices, behaviours, and social institutions that are found in every culture across the globe, despite the vast differences that exist between them. These commonalities suggest fundamental aspects of human life and social organisation that are shared across diverse societies. While the specific forms these universals take can vary greatly from one culture to another, the underlying patterns are consistent. Examples of cultural universals include the presence of language and some form of communication, the existence of family structures (though their forms may differ), systems of social norms and rules governing behaviour, rituals and ceremonies (often related to birth, death, and marriage), some form of art or aesthetic expression (such as music, dance, or visual arts), and mechanisms for dealing with the supernatural or religious beliefs. The study of cultural universals helps sociologists and anthropologists identify core elements of human culture and understand the fundamental ways in which societies organise themselves to meet basic human needs and address common life experiences. The existence of these universals suggests that despite cultural diversity, there are underlying commonalities in human nature and social life.