Sacrifice facts for kids

The Sacrifice to Priapus, by Francisco de Goya

A sacrifice means giving up something important. Often, it's about offering something valuable to a God or gods as part of a religion. People have made sacrifices for many reasons throughout history. They might do it to show thanks, ask for help, or make up for mistakes.

What is Sacrifice?

Sacrifice is an old idea found in many cultures and religions. It involves giving up something, like an object, an animal, or even a part of oneself. This act is usually done to connect with a higher power or to achieve a spiritual goal.

Sacrifice in Ancient Times

In ancient times, many groups of people, including those who followed Pagan beliefs, performed different kinds of sacrifices. Sometimes, these involved animal sacrifices. In some very rare cases, human sacrifices were also made. For example, the ancient Greek play Iphigenia by Euripides tells a story that includes such an act.

Sacrifice in Different Religions

• In the Old Testament of the Bible, Jewish people followed specific rules about animal sacrifices. These rules are described in the book of Leviticus. For instance, cows and pigeons were sometimes offered. This was done to make peace with God or to ask for forgiveness for sins.
• In the New Testament, which is part of the Christian Bible, the death of Christ on the cross is seen as a very important sacrifice. Christians believe that Jesus gave his life to make up for the sins of humanity. This act is central to their faith.

Related pages

• Epistle to the Hebrews
• Self-denial

Images for kids

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  Marcus Aurelius and his family offering sacrifice after a victory against Germanic tribes. This is an ancient carving in the Capitoline Museum, Rome.

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  A stone pile, called a cairn, used for sacrifices in Janakkala, Finland.

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  An ancient Roman wall painting from Pompeii. It shows a sacrifice being made to the goddess Diana, who is shown with a deer.

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  A pig offered as a sacrifice during the Ghost Festival.

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  An artwork called Christ on the Cross by Carl Heinrich Bloch, showing the sacrifice of Jesus.

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  A page from the Waldburg Prayer Book. It shows the Holy Eucharist being celebrated on Earth, with the Holy Trinity and the Virgin Mary in Heaven.

See also

In Spanish: Oblación para niños