I think also it can be allegorical situation to compare how a thing can be started for one reason but as the society that partakes in the thing can change it over time to mean somwthing else entirely as the ones who initially experienced the event die out and the preceding generations take over.
We are the culture, our actions DO have an effect over a long enough time line. The things we do today can become tomorrow's culture. We are the universe experiencing itself. Let us go forth and create the culture we wish to see in the world. We just dont know how much we can change with one simple thing.