On Sacrifice

Abstract

In ancient times, people killed an animal as an offering to appease the gods’ wrath. This act could bring the entire village a year of health, peace, and joy. That is why both Chinese characters for “sacrifice”—“犧” and “牲”—contain the radical for “beast.” Yet from a modern perspective, all living beings are equal. Animals, eaten by humans and chosen as offerings, are innocent—thus they are the ones sacrificed for humankind.