History is full of strange and sacred traditions—but some ancient rituals were so gruesome, cruel, or horrifying, they were eventually outlawed and erased from mainstream society.
These weren’t just spiritual practices—they were displays of brutality, often involving torture, mutilation, or death. Here are some of the most disturbing rituals from history that were so horrifying, they were banned forever.
1. Sati – The Widow-Burning Ritual (India)
In parts of ancient and medieval India, when a man died, his widow was sometimes forced or pressured to throw herself onto his funeral pyre—a ritual known as Sati. The practice was seen as a woman’s final act of devotion, but in many cases, it was coerced or done under threat, with young widows burned alive in public spectacles.
British colonial authorities banned Sati in 1829, calling it murder—but the practice lingered in secret for decades. It was eventually criminalized completely, and modern India considers it both illegal and a form of social murder.
2. Human Sacrifice by the Aztecs (Mesoamerica)
The Aztec Empire believed that human sacrifice was necessary to keep the sun rising and the universe in balance. Captured enemies or slaves were marched up pyramids, where priests would cut out their still-beating hearts with obsidian blades, then toss the bodies down the steps.
Tens of thousands were sacrificed annually, especially during massive festivals. The arrival of the Spanish and the spread of Christianity led to a brutal crackdown on these practices in the 16th century, ending one of the bloodiest state-run rituals in human history.
3. Foot Binding (China)
In imperial China, small feet were considered a sign of beauty and status. Girls as young as 5 had their feet broken, bound tightly, and forced to grow into unnatural shapes, often no longer than 3 inches—known as “lotus feet.” The process caused lifelong pain, infections, and permanent disability.
Though the practice lasted for nearly a thousand years, it was finally banned in the early 20th century as China modernized and declared it a form of cultural self-harm.
4. Viking Blood Eagle Execution (Scandinavia)
According to Norse legends, one of the most terrifying execution rituals was the Blood Eagle. The victim’s back was sliced open, ribs broken, and lungs pulled out to resemble wings. Salt might be rubbed into the wounds to prolong suffering. Whether myth or real, it represented the most gruesome form of ritualized vengeance.
The ritual was reportedly used against traitors or enemies of the Viking chieftains. Eventually, as Christianity spread across Scandinavia, such pagan brutality was outlawed.