Betazoid
Traditions
The most notable of the known Betazoid traditions is the wedding ceremony. It is customary that all people, guests and participants, attend the ceremony nude, to symbolize that, physically and spiritually, there is nothing to hide, that all are sharing in complete cooperation in the spirit of harmony and unity.
The ceremony itself is also rich in symbolism. The groom walks in, followed by his mother, who pulls on his arm, trying to stop him. The groom keeps walking, and his father steps into his path, holding up a hand in a signal for the groom to stop. The groom gently but firmly pushes his father out of the way and walks to the front of the room.
At this point, the bride's parents enter, the bride's mother sobbing loudly. The bride sits in the front row. A woman who is equivalent to a maid-of-honor enters and walks up to the bride, saying "I summon you to the place of marriage." She then escorts the bride to the side of the groom and the ceremony proceeds.
The bride wears a white band in her hair, which she tosses over her shoulder to a crowd of waiting women, much like the Terran tradition of tossing the bridal bouquet. To the woman that catches the band, it means that the love of her life is at the gathering. *
Not much has been said about religion on Betazed, but we do know that it is an old tradition to repeatedly strike a small instrument at the dinner table. The instrument produces a chiming sound which gives thanks to the gods of Betazed for the food being eaten.
People
Betazoids are a race of humanoid telepaths from the Federation planet Betazed (also called "Cyndriel" by its inhabitants). Most Betazoids develop their telepathic abilities in adolescence, although a few individuals are born with their telepathy fully functional. These troubled individuals generally require extensive therapy to survive in society, since they lack the ability to screen out the telepathic noise of other people. Betazoids are, however, incapable of reading Ferengi, Breen, or Doptherian minds, possibly as a result of the anomalous 4-lobed construction of their brains. The normal gestation period of a Betazoid is 10 months.
Planet
Betazed (Cyndriel) is a Class M planet. Home to a race of humanoid telepaths, Betazed is a member of the United Federation of Planets, and the biennial Trade Agreement Conference was held there in 2366. Home to Deanna Troi (Haven [TNG]). As a young lieutenant, William Riker was once stationed on Betazed where he became romantically involved with psychology student (and later enterprise crew) Deanna Troi. (Encounter At Farpoint [TNG]) Commander Riker and Counselor Troi took shore leave there following the Trade Agreement Conference. Riker, Troi, and Lwaxana Troi were subsequently kidnapped from the surface of Betazed by the Ferengi DaiMon Tog. (Menage a Troi [TNG]) Archaelogist Vash is persona-non-grata on Betazed. (Q-less [DS9])
A quote:
"On Betazed they know precisely what you're thinking. The fortunate thing is that, because of that, these people are hard to offend just on the basis of pure unspoken opinions. They've had to develop a high tolerance for unexpurgated thought . . . it was either that or kill each other. The only thing they have little tolerance for is prevarication. They'd consider that to be insulting. Be straightforward and honest with the Betazoids and they'll appreciate and respect you for it
Vegetation
Chameleon Rose
A Betazoid flower that changes color with the mood of its owner. Wyatt Miller give Deanna Troi a chameleon rose before their planned wedding. (Haven [TNG])
Muktok Plant
Variegated bristle-like foliage found on the planet Betazed. Able to live for hundreds of years, the muktok blooms give off a pleasant sound when shaken. Riker and Troi recalled meeting near a particular muktok plant when Riker was stationed on Betazed. (Ménage à Troi [TNG])
Cuisine
Mantickian paté
An exotic dish concocted by Betazoid Ambassador Lwaxana Troi
Oskoid
A leaflike Betazoid delicacy favored by Betazoid Ambassador Lwaxana Troi
Uttaberries
A blueberry-like fruit found on Betazed. Favored for the juice and wine produced from it.
Language
RaBeem
Literally: "I understand."
Imzadi
Literally translated as "beloved" or "dear one", but it can have a much deeper meaning, a word symbolizing the bond between lovers.
S'smar-ith
Not sure what this means exactly, it was said by Deanna Troi to Captain Picard as she was coaching him on how to negotiate with a certain race. To express her point about races coming from similar frames of reference, Deanna holds up a cup of tea and says "S'smar-ith".