Aztec and Mexican tattoos
Tattoos are not only adopted by people as a fashion statement, but they also portray their character and persona. Aztec and Mexican tattoos are symbolic such tattoos are inspired by their civilization and culture. The designs are similar to tribal tattoos, marking the difference between tribes and depicting an individual’s social status. The themes are mainly inspired by Mayan, Aztec, Inca and Hispanic culture, playing a key role to make Mexican tattoo art so popular.
History of Mexican Tattoo
Contrary to common belief, Mexican tattoos began long before the stereotypical ideas about them – the idea that Mexicans have only been tattooing for a hundred years or so is a misconception. Tattoos in the Mexican culture date back to the early 1300s and perhaps before that. Both the Aztecs and the Mexican, along with other Mexican native tribes used tattoos as ornamental and as a way to intimidate foes during battle.
Ancient Aztec Tattoos
The Aztecs were a tribe that lived from the 13th to the 16th century in and around the area that is now called Mexico. Religion and the many gods were very important in the Aztec culture, a lot of the daily life of the Aztecs was meant to honor and please the gods.
Tattooing played an important role in the Aztec culture, even children were tattooed.
The ancient Aztec tattoo designs were rather rudimentary, and were not only designed to decorate the body, but for a variety of reasons:
-Aztec tribal tattoos were done during rituals and always in honor of a specific god.
-Tattoo designs were used to differentiate between the different tribes.
-Aztec tattoo designs were used to mark a person’s status, to show a warrior's rank and accomplishments.
Aztec and Mexican Tattoo Designs
From among the typical Mexican tattoo ideas mentioned above, Aztec tattoos are the most prominent. The tattoos engraved on the body are of the sacred Gods and Goddesses of the Aztec tribe. To name a few, Quetzalcoatl (god of fertility, creativity and weather), the serpent God is the most powerful of all, is highly liked by people belonging to Mexico.
A tattoo of Huitzilopochtli or the sun god (a symbol for belief in life after death), is a common design adopted by Mexicans. Tezcatlipoca (the warrior god) tattoos worn by people who are in search of power and want to live like a warrior. Other traditional symbols include religious designs with a head bowed or hands in prayer, encircled by a halo. Aztec tattoos are more rudimentary, etched in honor of Gods to bless people with fertility, prosperity and health. The ancient art of Mexican tattoo designs are incorporated with many modern elements today. People rather considering them as religious emblems and wear them to uplift their fashion quotient.
With this, Mexican art tattoos have evolved as flag tattoos, mafia tattoos, gang tattoos and prison tattoos. Mexican flag tattoo represent pride and vanity. Mexican flag has three colors, namely green, white and red, along with an eagle placed at the center. Each color has different meanings. The red color depicts sacrifice and unity, green indicates freedom and hope and white holds for purity and faith. The eagle holds a snake in its mouth and is seen to be landing on a cactus, the logo quite distinct from that of Spanish civilization. People who wear Mexican flag tattoos actually work away from their native place and take pride and honor in the rich Mexican culture. Flag tattoos are usually worn on the broader parts of the body like, on chest, upper arm and forearm.
Mexican mafia tattoos stand for Mafia Mexicana, ruling the hearts of the Mexican tattoo fans. They are inked either as ‘MM’ or the eagle holding the snake in its mouth with the initials ‘EME’. Mafia tattoos are also denoted by black hands. Mexican gang tattoos or Mexican prison tattoos vary from the mafia patterns. Such tattoos have ornate tattoo lettering. They are also known as Hispanic tattoo that contain images denoting Christianity. They are iconic representations like Christ, a cross, saints and Virgin Mary. This way you can create striking religious symbols that will exhibit your true faith in the ancient Mexican culture.
Other Mexican Tattoo Designs
Nowadays, there’s much more to Mexican tattoos than a prison or gang related design. Mexican style tattoos are among the most beautiful and original new tattoos designs today. Mexican skull tattoos: inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, a holiday in which the Mexican people remember those who have died.
Before you decide on a Mexican tattoo design, do a bit of research about the mythology that engendered it, and the precise meaning of the image you are choosing. After all, you will be living with this image for the rest of your life (at least until the cost of tattoo removal comes down a bit), so you want to make sure that it resonates with you in more ways than just appearance.
Some of Aztec, Maya and Inca mythology is inspiring, but some of it tends to be a bit dark, so you need to make sure that you don't end up with an image whose meaning you aren't completely comfortable with! Think before you INK!!