It is a well-known fact that for all time the world has been killing each other. An equally well-known reality is that it has also been sacrificing the red heifer. In fact, one could say that is the single most unifying aspect of all nations, people and bovine. No matter what region in the world, from the centers of power, bustling cities, to remote tribes…on Sacrifice Day everyone knows what to do.
In war nations down their arms, if only for the day, to honor the cow destined for ash. Sacrifice Day is a ritual, a celebration, and an honor unlike anything else. Heifers themselves vary in their level of commitment or respect for their sacred purpose. Many heifers understand this purpose and embrace it with the dignity such a practice deserves. For there is no greater honor in the life of an unblemished heifer than to go up in flames, the smoke ascending to the heavens leaving nothing but ashes.
Despite the honor embraced by most, some among the immaculate get cold hooves at the last moment and initiate a daring escape. There is something about the chosen heifer’s biological makeup that makes such a seemingly ludicrous option not only plausible but often successful. Globally, about 1,000 apostates attempt the daring escape each year.
Little is known about the life of the fugitives after escape but given that the lifespan of a chosen exceeds that of humans it is believed that an underground community of the unblemished has existed in absentia. The little information we do have is from The Society of Blemish (SOB) an organization of heifers with blemish who have made it their mission to hunt down apostate heifers.
The community of blemished heifers often look upon their unblemished counterparts with great envy. Some embrace the way they were born and contribute to society in varying degrees. Some fall into a deep depression upon receiving an ear tag and some go out of their way to receive one. Likewise, among the pure there are distinctions. Some chosen to embrace their solemn duty, preparing with their steward for years to offer themselves on Sacrifice Day. Others seek blemish, plan their daring escape or with all intention of being sacrificed abruptly flee at the last moment.
Probably the most dramatic example in recent history was the Hirosaki episode of 1991. Two unblemished heifers were vying for the honor on Sacrifice Day and Hirosaki’s population only allows for one pursuant to Title I, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 1: 1.1 of the The Sacred Order of the Red Heifer Ritual. During the HIrosaki episode of 1991, Hiroshi the steward of Aiko allegedly committed “the abomination” (unsanctioned sacrificed) on Daiki, Aiko’s competition, outside of Sacrifice Day only to have Aiko make the daring escape at the last moment. The Society of Blemish claims to have last spotted Aiko in Argentina but these reports have not been verified by a third party.
We could devolve into countless stories from over the years, everything, and I do mean everything, related to Sacrifice Day has been recorded in the Heifer Annals: Chronicles of Sacred Red Heifers. You can explore the depth and drama of the single most unifying tradition to exist as your time allows. For our purposes here it is best you come away with a few key points of understanding. 1) The code is honored and enforced. 2) The rules are clear and exhaustive. 3) Violations are dealt with swiftly and decisively. 4) All heifers are unique and unpredictable whether with blemish or without. 5) There is no greater honor for a human than to be the steward of an immaculate red heifer who is successfully burned to ash on Sacrifice Day.
