sacrificial victim

A sacrificial victim is an individual chosen to be offered or sacrificed, often in religious or cultural rituals, to please or honor deities, seek protection, or ensure community well-being. Historically, this practice involves the voluntary or arranged killing of someone, symbolizing devotion, atonement, or the transferring of spiritual or societal burdens. While less common today, sacrificial victims have played significant roles in various ancient traditions, where their sacrifice was believed to bring blessings, fertility, or divine favor.