Warriors worshipped powerful gods, but the nondescript people worshipped lesser gods, the ones that protected their shrines, or the things out of every day life. At the end of every Aztec month all people had a festival with dancing, music, and sacrifices. Many Aztecs fought in wars to capture men for human sacrifices. Every god had one or more aspects of nature. Priests performed ceremonies to win the favor of the gods.
Human sacrifice is a very important part of a ceremony.
Priests cut open the chest of a living victim and ripped out their heart. They did this because they thought their gods needed hearts and blood to keep from getting weak. Sometimes worshippers ate part of the body because they thought they would absorb the strength and bravery of the victim. Most religious ceremonies took place in a temple called a teocalli. Large stairways led up to these centers.