Aztec Sacrificing

The Aztec people believed they owed a blood-debt to their gods. To try and repay this endless debt, sacrificing was a huge part of their society, it had great religious significance. There were 18 months in their calendar and for each 18 months there was a ritual sacrifice. The body of the victim would be painted as part of the ritual and then the heart would be torn out, lifted to the sun, and the body would be thrown down the temple stairs. Humans as well as animals were sacrificed and ritual blood shedding was practiced as well as sacrificing.