Aztec Tattoos – Art Meets History

December 11, 2007 at 9:19 pm | In American Culture, Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Hispanic, Hola Mundo, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, NYC Local, New York City, New York Spanish, Orgullo Hispano, Orgullo Latino, Pop Culture, Recommendations, Sabor Latino, World History | 15 Comments
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The Aztecs were a powerful ancient civilization that lived from the 13thto the 16th century in and around the area of Mexico and Central America.

Having tattoos was and is a common practice among many tribes; religion and gods were very important in the Aztec culture and therefore Aztecs used to have tattoos to show and reflect a devotion to their deities.

They often used them in rituals; most of the designs that exist now are ancient symbols that offered respect to these gods and goddesses.

The Aztec sun

Because the Aztec culture was based in tradition, in arts and in education as well as in religious practices, they held many different designs and shapes as sacred.

Art was very important and themes such as the Aztec calendar are common designs for tattoos.

Other common theme for Aztecs tattoos used nowadays is based around the sun because it is consider being the provider of life; the calendar was based around the sun as well.

Aztec calendar

Other important reasons of why Aztecs decorated themselves with tattoos were to differentiate between tribes, to mark a person’s status or to show a warrior’s rank as well as his accomplishments.

Aztec tribal tattoos are very popular nowadays since they have a symbolic meaning; to honor their heritage or simply because they feel a connection with the Aztec culture.

Tezcatlipoca

Aztec and Mexican tattoos that we frequently see are:</p

§ Designs involving the sun: in honor of Huitzilopochtili, who was the Aztect sun god.

§ The god of warriors: Tezcatlipoca

§ The Aztec calendar

§ Questzalcoatl: The God of weather, fertility and creativity

 

§ Cross tattoos, the sun and the moon.

The Eagle: Aztec warriors admired the strength of the Eagle.

So, what is your favorite design? Do you have other interesting designs to share with us? We would like to know about them!!

15 Comments »

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  1. WOW. I REALLY enjoyed this read! I’d love to see more like it. How about the Mayans? The Tainos? Arawak? So much history there and many of us Latinos can trace roots back to those ancient tribes. It’s amazing.

    A quick sidenote: I saw “Apocolytpo” and, I must say, I really enjoyed it. It’s a Mel Gibson film so, of course, it’s very bloody and messy.. But this film seemed to be less over-the-top and more true-to-life.

    It’s definitely worth checking out. 8)

    Comment by Yogizilla — December 18, 2007 #

  2. Am looking for an AAztec design to incorporate with my back as a sleeve for my left arm and am checking out other artists as well. I drew my back and had it put on by a friend @ his shop. Am looking to colour it now and add more Totems. Am a Brujo, Espiritu Brujo here. The tatt on my back is an Eagle Spirit Dancer with totems. Any place to look would be greatly appreciated.

    Comment by R.Bull 2 Feathers (Bull) — March 9, 2008 #

  3. I don’t know too much about all the sites out there but this one is pretty good…

    http://www.tattoojohnny.com/tattoo-design-index-aztec.html

    …Here are two others to check out too:

    http://www.wowtattoos.com/index-23-santos.html
    http://photopost.brownpride.com/showphoto.php?photo=14655&cat=500&ppuser=33229

    I’d use Yahoo, DogPile, and Google to search. Some of the key phrases that find good results include “aztec tattoo art”, “aztec warrior drawings”, “aztec drawings”, “aztec ink”… You get the idea.

    Good luck in teh search, bro. 8)

    Comment by Yogizilla — March 10, 2008 #

  4. Aztec tattoo art is always a good seller in my shop in England. Will check out the sites in the comment above as I’m always after new designs :)

    Comment by Mike Armstrong — April 28, 2008 #

  5. http://www.worldoffashion.wordpress.com visit it\ and take the design u want

    Comment by kattwinson — May 5, 2008 #

  6. Yup..
    This aztec tattoos is really artistic in your body.

    It’s easy to make and beautiful

    Comment by aztec gods expert — June 20, 2008 #

  7. hello
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    Comment by kattwinson — June 24, 2008 #

  8. best blog is on sell
    http://www/worldoffashion.wordpress.com

    Comment by kattwinson — August 3, 2008 #

  9. THESE FUCKEN TATTOS ARE FUCKEN WACK… WHO THE FUCK WOULD GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT ON THEIR SKIN FUCK YOU ALL NIGGERS

    Comment by PLAYBOY — August 29, 2008 #

  10. Hi Sana you are the best

    Comment by sana — September 8, 2008 #

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    Comment by kattwinson — September 22, 2008 #

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    Comment by love — October 27, 2008 #

  13. awesome art, check out the WARVOX website if you want to see Pre Hispanic Tattoo Designs: http://www.warvox.com/

    Comment by Manus — October 30, 2008 #

  14. Thank you for your site ;)
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    have a great day and thank you again!

    Comment by createmo — November 2, 2008 #

  15. Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. :) Cheers! Sandra. R.

    Comment by sandrar — September 10, 2009 #


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