Mexican tattoos
Mexican tattoos are different from other types of tattoo, they are very spectacular and cannot be confused with other types of tattoos. Mexican tattoo designs are usually vivid and colorful. Because of the striking lines and vivid contour they are a great finding of the tattoo art. Mexican tattoos of Aztecs are easily recognized because of their geometrical forms and peculiar style. They have their roots in the times of Maya, Inx and Aztecs. Aztecs represent the tribe who lived near Mexico in the 14th and 15th centuries. They were very religious and spent the most part of their time in attempts to make sacrifices strict gods. They were called the people of the Sun because they considered their main aim to be the reinforcing of the god of the Sun for him to be able to continue his existence. From the other hand they comprised one of the greatest ancient civilization with wide spread science and art, however many people think that they took many things from Maya tribe.
Mexican tattoos were the great part of Aztec cultures – even children were applied tattoos.
Ancient Mexican tattoos of Aztecs were quite simple, but were intended not only for body appealing, but also because of many other reasons:
The Mexican tattoo designs of ancient Aztecs were applied during the rituals and always in the favor of a certain god.
Tattoos were used as a distinctive sign in different tribes. Also Mexican tattoos revealed the social position of the person, showed the rank of the warrior and his achievements. Here are some main ideas of Mexican tattoo designs. Many Mexican tattoos use the depiction of the sun. The tattoo of the sun were designed to honor the Aztec god of the Sun – Huitzilopochtli. The sun was very important for Aztecs, they considered it to be the guardian of the heaven. That is why nowadays Mexican tattoo with the depiction of the sun symbolizes the belief in the other world.
Quetzalcoatl – the god in ancient Mexico, who was depicted as the winged snake, also was very popular in Mexican tattoo designs. Quetzalcoatl is the god of weather, art and fertility, and he was the most powerful god among all Aztec gods.
Tezcatlipoca was also very widely used in the art of the Mexican tattoo – he was the god of war.
Calendar of Aztecs is also a good thing to depict in Mexican tattoos.
Eagle is also very popular. Aztec warriors got their strength in eagles.
Nowadays people choose Mexican tattoo designs because of their symbolic meaning or because they feel their connection with ancient and powerful Aztec culture.
Mexican tattoos are mostly the tattoos that comprise several subcultures. Many projects – historical, religious and political epochs are determining the Mexican tattoo nowadays.
Despite of many opinions, Mexican tattoo designs appeared long before people got their own stereotypical knowledge about them – the opinion that Mexicans began creating Mexican tattoo designs for a hundred years or so is not consistent. Tattoos in Mexican culture date back in the year of 1300 or even earlier. Aztecs and Mexican people, as well as other Mexican tribes used to decorate their bodies to bring fear to their enemies during battles.
As well as other cultural art, Mexican tattoos can belong to different categories. The Mexican tattoo designs are as various as the culture and landscape of this country.
Mexicans have a strong feeling for their country and origin. Origin and Aztecs are the most important for this part of Mexicans, and this comprises their culture. Many local Mexican tattoo designs depict the Sun or the god of the Sun, other astrological symbols and the symbols of sacrifice.