Sacrifice

Sacrifice refers to the act of giving up something valued in order to obtain or support a goal considered more important. The term comes from the Latin sacrificium, from sacer “sacred” and facere “to make, do.”

In religious and ceremonial contexts, sacrifice often denotes offerings to deities, spirits, or ancestors, which may take the form of animals, food, produce, or symbolic acts. Across cultures, ritual sacrifice has played diverse roles, including appeasing deities, marking rites of passage, or expressing gratitude or penance. In many societies, practices have evolved or been abandoned due to ethical, legal, and practical concerns. Historical accounts also document human and other extreme forms of sacrifice, though such practices are now illegal and widely condemned.

In social science, sacrifice is analyzed as a form of costly signaling or altruistic behavior, where an individual bears costs to benefit others or the group. Ethically, sacrifice raises questions about proportionality, consent, and harm; some traditions frame sacrifice as virtuous duty, while others emphasize autonomy and the sanctity of life.

In everyday language, sacrifice often refers to delaying or foregoing personal desires, investing time, money, or effort for the welfare of others, a career, or a cause. The concept remains central to discussions of morality, religion, and human cooperation, as it intersects with notions of duty, generosity, and personal cost.