10 Strange Ancient Rituals That Actually Made Sense at the Time

Many ancient rituals may seem bizarre today, but they once served practical or spiritual purposes.

  • Chris Graciano
  • 2 min read
10 Strange Ancient Rituals That Actually Made Sense at the Time
ROMAN ODINTSOV on Pexels

Throughout history, civilizations developed rituals to honor gods, protect their people, or make sense of the unknown. Here are 10 strange ancient rituals that actually made sense at the time. While some of these customs seem shocking by today’s standards, they had logical explanations within their cultural context.

1. Mummification (Ancient Egypt)

hayriyenur . on Pexels hayriyenur . on Pexels

The Egyptians believed that preserving the body was essential for the afterlife. Through an elaborate embalming process, they ensured that the deceased could live eternally.

2. Foot Binding (China)

Alicia Little on Wikimedia Commons Alicia Little on Wikimedia Commons

For nearly a thousand years, Chinese girls had their feet tightly wrapped to keep them small, a sign of beauty and status. Though painful and restrictive, bound feet increased a woman’s marriage prospects in elite society.

3. Human Sacrifice (Aztecs)

Gary Todd on Wikimedia Commons Gary Todd on Wikimedia Commons

The Aztecs believed that the gods required human blood to keep the universe in balance. Victims were often prisoners of war, and their sacrifice was seen as an honor.

4. Spartan Infanticide (Ancient Greece)

Medieval Mart on Pexels Medieval Mart on Pexels

Sparta prioritized military strength above all else, and newborns were inspected at birth. If deemed weak or unfit, they were abandoned to maintain a society of warriors.

5. Tooth Sharpening (Various Cultures)

Christiaan Benjamin Nieuwenhuis  on Wikimedia Commons Christiaan Benjamin Nieuwenhuis on Wikimedia Commons

From Maya to African tribes, their members filed or sharpened their teeth for beauty, status, or spiritual protection. In some societies, pointed teeth symbolized strength or connection to the gods.

6. Sati (Ancient India)

Ajay950 on Wikimedia Commons Ajay950 on Wikimedia Commons

Sati was a ritual where widows were expected to throw themselves onto their husband’s funeral pyre. It was seen as an act of devotion, ensuring both would reunite in the afterlife.

7. Sky Burials (Tibet)

FishOil on Wikimedia Commons FishOil on Wikimedia Commons

Instead of burying or cremating their dead, Tibetans practiced sky burials—leaving bodies on mountaintops for vultures to consume. This ritual reflected Buddhist beliefs about the impermanence of the body.

8. Gladiator Battles (Ancient Rome)

Davi Pimentel on Pexels Davi Pimentel on Pexels

What seems like brutal entertainment today was originally a religious tribute. Gladiator fights started as funerary rites, honoring the dead by offering blood to the gods.

9. Viking Funeral Pyres (Scandinavia)

Paul Woods on Flickr Paul Woods on Flickr

Vikings sent off their dead in burning ships, believing the flames carried them to Valhalla. This dramatic ritual was meant to ensure a warrior’s transition to the afterlife.

10. The Oracle of Delphi (Ancient Greece)

Milo44 on Wikimedia Commons Milo44 on Wikimedia Commons

People traveled great distances to hear cryptic prophecies from the priestess at Delphi. She inhaled mysterious fumes, believed to be divine, before delivering her visions.

Written by: Chris Graciano

Chris has always had a vivid imagination, turning childhood daydreams into short stories and later, scripts for films. His passion for storytelling eventually led him to content writing, where he’s spent over four years blending creativity with a practical approach. Outside of work, Chris enjoys rewatching favorites like How I Met Your Mother and The Office, and you’ll often find him in the kitchen cooking or perfecting his coffee brew.

Recommended for You

20 Strange Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the World

20 Strange Valentine’s Day Traditions from Around the World

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about chocolates and roses. Around the world, people celebrate love with some truly bizarre and unexpected traditions.