> To honor the spring god Xipe, Aztec priests flayed human beings and clad themselves in the tattered hides. This symbolized the new vegetation in which the earth clothes itself.
> To honor the fire god Huehueteotl, captives were tossed into pits of coals to sizzle while the black-clad priests danced. Just before they died they were fished up with hooks. Their chests were sliced open with sharp stone knives and their hearts wrenched with practiced skill from their blistered bodies.
> When warfare netted too few victims, Aztec tribes arranged a ceremonial...
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