bloodBLOOD
In biological terms, blood carries nutrients and oxygen to the cells of the
bodies of animals, but it also carries symbolic significance within the
context of religion. Within Christianity, the blood of Christ, a sacrificial
lamb, saves sinners from eternal damnation. In the Jewish context, shed
or menstrual blood is considered defiling and drinking blood is taboo.
Blood is central to the Jewish covenant with God in the form of sacrifice
and circumcision (Exod. 24.8). In addition to its communal bonding
effect in Judaism, blood operates as a protective power as in the narrative
of protecting homes from the coming plague by marking them with blood
(Exod. 13.7–13), as a purifying agent for a house infected with mold, or
as an application to those suffering from leprosy, likened to a mold grow-
ing on a person (Lev. 14). Among the ancient Hittites, blood is also used
as a purifying agent to purify a temple or a divine image. Similar restric-
tions and ambiguous attitudes related to blood are evident in Islam and
Hinduism.
Although blood is considered polluting in Hinduism, it is also recog-
nized as the sap of life, and plays an important role in worship of the god-
dess Kālī, who delights in bloody sacrifices to her. Kālī is constantly
described as drinking blood flowing from decapitated heads of humans,
demons, or animal victims, whose blood turns into an immortal nectar. Her
close association with blood suggests that she is related to strength, vigor,
and life. Not only does she give life, but the goddess demands a continuous
flow of fresh blood as sustenance to sustain her creative efforts.
In classical Chinese religion, blood is considered dirty, polluting, and
powerful. Menstrual blood is considered unclean and a fluid that the
female body does not need. By coming into contact with such blood, a
person is barred from worshiping the gods. From another perspective,
menstrual blood is considered powerful because it creates babies. Another
power possessed by blood is its ability to exorcise evil spirits. Moreover,
flowing blood is associated with power, as evident in a report by De
Groot describing blood spurting from the bodies of decapitated criminals
near Amoy, China, which is collected and used for life-strengthening
medicines.
Along with death, blood is a source of pollution in the Shinto religion,
an indigenous religion of Japan. A contaminated person must undergo
ritual isolation for a stated period of time and even longer when intend-
ing to approach a shrine. Any violation incurs the danger of a sudden
punishment from the offended deity in the form of sickness, madness,
accident, or fire.