Why did the Aztecs believe sacrifices were crucial to their survival?

The belief that sacrifices were crucial to the Aztecs' survival is rooted in their cosmology and religious practices. The Aztecs viewed the sun as a vital force that required nourishment to ensure its continued rise and the maintenance of order in the universe. They believed that human sacrifices were necessary offerings to the sun god, Huitzilopochtli, and other deities to sustain the balance of the cosmos.

In their worldview, if these sacrifices were not made, the sun would cease to rise, leading to chaos and the potential end of the world. This belief reflects a deep connection between their religious practices and their understanding of natural phenomena, as they felt that their survival depended on keeping their gods appeased through these rituals. The urgency and severity of this belief drove the Aztecs to conduct numerous sacrifices, which were integral to their societal structure and agricultural calendar, as they associated these rituals with ensuring fertility and prosperity.