Sacred Blood and Cosmic Order

The echoes of ancient practices still make the heart beat faster, for in the culture of our ancestors, blood symbolized the very source of life. In the Mediterranean, blood sacrifices carried profound meaning: this blood embodied the vital force necessary for communication with higher powers and the maintenance of cosmic equilibrium. People believed that through this act they could restore the natural order, ensuring fertility and the wellbeing of society.

Equally impressive were the rituals of the Khond tradition, where sacrifices were seen as a sacred gift to the Earth Goddess. Here, the voluntary nature of the offering and its subsequent ritual consecration played an important role, symbolizing not only personal devotion but also unity with the divine principle, ultimately bringing benefit to all of humanity.

Moreover, paganism—in all its diversity and profound symbolism—served as a bridge between humans and mythical realms, where sacrifices became a unique language of communication with both divine and demonic forces. In this context, every life sacrifice was perceived as an element of the world’s salvation, a reminder of the ancient belief that it is through this primary symbol—blood—that one may connect with the eternal energy sustaining harmony and life.

These ancient traditions are united by a shared belief in the sacred power of living energy, capable not only of bestowing life but also of preserving balance in nature and society. This understanding of energy-filled rituals, imbued with determination, continues to inspire us to seek the wisdom of our ancestors and to deeply reconsider the sacred meaning of human existence.

What other religious traditions, besides those mentioned, involve the offering of living beings as sacrifices to appease a deity, and how is this justified within their doctrine?

Based on the presented information, several traditions can be identified in which the offering of living beings as sacrifices is justified by doctrinal concepts of life force and cosmic order.

Firstly, in the cultures of the ancient Mediterranean, the central idea—as noted in the source—was that life was equated with blood. This is why bloody sacrifices held symbolic significance; the blood collected on the altar was seen as an expression of the life force necessary to bestow upon the gods and sustain cosmic balance. As explained:

"At the core of blood sacrifices lay one of the naïve-realist primordial notions that life is blood. Accordingly, blood is offered to the deity... In the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, human sacrifices have been known since ancient times—at least from the Eneolithic-Bronze Age..." (source: link txt, page: 18).

Secondly, the tradition associated with the Khonds also involves the offering of living sacrifices—referred to as "meria." These offerings were made in the name of the Earth Goddess. In this tradition’s doctrine, emphasis was placed on the voluntary nature of the sacrifice and its ritual consecration, which served as proof of dedication and unity with divine power, interpreted as beneficial for society as a whole. The description of the ceremony notes:

"The sacrifices called 'meria' were offered to the Earth Goddess—Tari Penna, or Bera Penna; ... the sacrifice was made for the benefit of all humanity..." (source: link txt, page: 1176).

Lastly, in paganism, despite its seemingly straightforward appearance, the rituals were deeply symbolic, reflecting a complex interweaving of ancient legends and mythological concepts. Here, sacrifices functioned as a unique language for communicating with deities, including demonic forces, while also serving as a reminder of the ancient belief that the salvation of the world depended on the sacrifice. It is stated as follows:

"In the pagan realm... the attitude of pagans toward their deities, including sacrifices as a sort of language for communication with god-demons—and at the same time a kind of genetic memory that the world will be saved by a sacrifice—is not as 'simple' as it might seem..." (source: link txt, page: 2376).

Thus, in addition to the already known examples found in ancient Mediterranean doctrines, Khond rituals, and the complex systems of paganism, there exists an idea that living sacrifices are capable of transmitting life force, ensuring fertility, establishing connections with divine forces, and ultimately saving or sustaining cosmic order. These practices are grounded in the belief in the sacred value of blood and living energy, which serve as the foundation for establishing contact with higher powers and maintaining both social and natural balance.

Supporting citation(s):
"At the core of blood sacrifices lay one of the naïve-realist primordial notions that life is blood..." (source: link txt, page: 18)

"The sacrifices called 'meria' were offered to the Earth Goddess—Tari Penna, or Bera Penna; ..." (source: link txt, page: 1176)

"...in the pagan realm, great philosophical systems arose... the attitude of pagans toward their deities, including sacrifices as a kind of language for communicating with god-demons..." (source: link txt, page: 2376)