Ritual Consumption:
- The priests or high-ranking officials would carefully remove the hearts of the sacrificed individuals during the ceremony.
- In certain rituals, the hearts would be consumed by the ruler, priests, or other important figures. This act symbolized the transfer of strength, power, and sacred energy from the sacrificed person to the person consuming the heart.
- For example, in the case of the prominent Huitzilopochtli cult, the heart of the sacrificed victim would be presented to the statue of Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec god of war and sun, as an offering.
Offering to Deities:
- Often, the hearts of the sacrificed individuals were offered directly to specific deities as part of the religious ritual.
- These hearts were placed on altars or in sacred vessels and were believed to appease the gods, ensuring their continued favor and protection.
- The Aztecs believed that by presenting the hearts to the deities, they were fulfilling their religious obligations and maintaining cosmic balance.
Burial or Disposal:
- In certain cases, the hearts of the sacrificed individuals were not immediately consumed or offered.
- They might be buried alongside the deceased individual or placed in a special container or structure dedicated to the particular deity for whom the sacrifice was performed.
- Burial of the hearts was believed to honor the spirit of the sacrificed person and ensure their safe journey in the afterlife.
It's important to note that the specific rituals and practices associated with handling the hearts of sacrificed individuals varied depending on the specific ceremony, deity being honored, and cultural beliefs of the Aztec civilization.