Home > Myths and Legends of the World > Sacrifice

Many religious ceremonies have included sacrifice, the act of giving up something of value and offering it to a deity.god or goddess Worshipers may make a sacrifice to win the favor of the deity, to give thanks, or to maintain a good relationship with the god. Myths from around the world contain many examples of sacrifices in which animals, humans, and even gods shed blood or die. Sometimes the sacrifice is linked with creation or with the continuation of life on earth. People also make offerings of precious items such as flowers, wine, and incense or a portion of the fruit or grain collected during a harvest.

Meaning and Methods of Sacrifice. One type of sacrifice involves the offering of blood or life. According to one theory, the

practice of blood sacrifice was based on the belief that life is precious, even divine. When freed from an...