Chinnamasta is the Indian goddess of desire and discernment. She is traditionally depicted as follows: in her left hand she holds her own severed head with an open mouth; her hair is disheveled, and she drinks the blood gushing from her own neck. In this case, the goddess stands on a couple making love. To the right and to the left of her are two companions who also drink the blood of the goddess flowing from her neck.
It would seem a terrible sight, but researchers of Indian culture argue that there is a certain meaning in each part of this image. Since the head is the center in which all the activities of the mind are carried out, the cutting off of the head symbolizes the stopping of the movement of thoughts. And the fact that the goddess tastes her own blood means the destruction of vicious desire.
In ancient India, the practice of ritual suicide was very popular, which had several types. One of them is the self-immolation of widows. Among especially believers, the custom was widespread to sacrifice their own head to the gods. Many unique monuments have survived, which depict scenes of such a sacrifice.
By the way, similar rituals are mentioned in the notes of Mark Polo, who wrote about the custom that existed on the territory of the Malabar coast, according to which a criminal sentenced to death could choose a form of sacrifice instead of execution, in which he kills himself "for love of such and such idols." This form of sacrifice was perceived by the people as most pleasing to Chinnamasta and, therefore, could serve the prosperity and welfare of the entire community.