What commonality exists between private and public blood sacrifices in Maya culture?

In Maya culture, both private and public blood sacrifices were performed primarily to appease spirits, which is central to their religious and cosmological beliefs. Sacrifices, whether in private or public arenas, were often seen as essential acts that maintained the balance between the human world and the spiritual realm. By offering blood, the Maya believed they could provide nourishment to the gods and secure their favor, ensuring good harvests, health, and overall well-being for the community.

In this context, the other options, while they may have some validity in specific instances, do not universally apply to both private and public blood sacrifices. For example, while some sacrifices may involve high-status individuals, not all instances do; in private settings, sacrifices could be performed by individuals of varying statuses. Similarly, while animals were often used in sacrifices, both human and non-human offerings could be made. Lastly, although many sacrifices occurred during festivals, they were not exclusively tied to these events and could also take place at other significant times in the Maya calendar or in response to specific needs or events.