Immolation

Immolation refers to the act of killing or offering as a sacrifice, often by burning. It's a dramatic and often religiously motivated act, representing the ultimate form of self-sacrifice or the destruction of something deemed significant. Historically, immolation has been practiced across cultures and religions, sometimes involving human or animal sacrifices to appease deities or achieve spiritual goals. Today, the term often carries a metaphorical weight, describing the destruction of something valuable, like reputation or idealism, or even a self-destructive act.,

Immolation meaning with examples

• The ancient priests performed ritual immolation, offering animals and grains to appease the gods and ensure a bountiful harvest. The flames engulfed the sacrificial offerings. This practice ensured the Gods would provide in abundance.
• Driven to despair, the revolutionary leader chose immolation as a protest against the tyrannical government, setting himself alight in the public square to ignite the people’s anger against the regime and spark a revolution, the ultimate price.
• Her reputation suffered complete immolation after the scandal. The press did not hold back their criticisms and accusations. The news made the social circles aware of the truth, she lost all respect within the community.
• The artist, facing creative block, considered the immolation of his past works as a means of rebirth, a destructive act allowing for a fresh start. He burnt his work with the hope of restarting his career with a fresh start and new inspirations.
• In the novel, the protagonist's emotional turmoil led to a metaphorical immolation of his old self as he embraced new identities and philosophies, burning off his previous beliefs, values and ambitions, and starting new.