Child Sacrifice and Ceremonial Importance in Aztec Culture

In Aztec culture, children were sometimes sacrificed to the god Tlaloc, the god of rain. These sacrifices were not their own children but were likely malnourished children from impoverished areas or prisoners of war. Crying during the sacrifices was believed to make the sacrifice more efficacious, showing the ceremonial importance of tears in Aztec ceremonies and festivals. Prisoners of war, mostly young warriors, were commonly sacrificed in Aztec culture, a practice not unique to the Aztecs but seen throughout Mexico and the Americas. The children were sometimes drugged to prevent suffering, although evidence suggests that they were aware of their fate. The significance of public tears was such that crying during sacrifices or political occasions held importance in conveying integrity or luck in the ceremonies.