{"id":15759,"date":"2021-08-19T07:59:48","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T16:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/?p=15759"},"modified":"2024-02-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-24T00:00:00","slug":"aztec-tattoo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saved-tattoo.com\/aztec-tattoo\/","title":{"rendered":"40+ Aztec Tattoo Meaning & Design Ideas (2024 Updated)"},"content":{"rendered":"

As European raiders and explorers entered the American land, Aztec civilization started to decay, especially when smallpox brought from Europe spread across the New World. Nevertheless, that didn\u2019t stop the rich Aztec culture and mythology to persevere, with the famous monuments of the ancient civilization being one of the most popular attractions in Central America.<\/p>\n

However, the remnants of the Aztec civilization are not only present in pieces of furniture, objects, and monuments. Its mythology, beliefs, and traditions live through ink, with many people regularly visiting tattoo artists with ideas of inking Aztec symbols on their bodies.<\/p>\n

Initially, it was believed that the Aztec symbols were a signature of the Mexican mafia and cartels, with symbols coming to life mostly in prison. However, it is no longer just like that. Many admirers of ancient history proudly flaunt Aztec symbols on their bodies, with both smaller and larger tattoos being charming and popular.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll take a deep and detailed look at the symbolism behind the Aztec tattoos. Additionally, we\u2019ll take a look at the best Aztec tattoo ideas, and designs that flooded the social media networks and decorate the bodies of many tattoo addicts around the world.<\/p>\n

Both Mayas and Aztecs were proudly wearing tattoos. The tattoos were more prominent on Aztec men and they were used to highlight one\u2019s social status and power. Women weren\u2019t wearing much prominent makeup or body paint. However, a special type of clay was used to cover their faces and limbs.<\/p>\n

Most Aztecs have wiped out thanks to the European invaders who not only wanted to establish their territory on the American land, but also spread pathogens and diseases that affected indigenous people.<\/p>\n

Today, Aztecs are not entirely wiped out. Instead, they\u2019re known as people of the Nahua. According to some estimations, there are about 1,5000 million Nahua people who live scattered across rural Mexico, united in small groups and communities.<\/p>\n

Most of them today are farmers or work as traders of their crafts that they still design to promote their culture and rich history that was at its peak between the 12th<\/sup> and 15th<\/sup> centuries. Interestingly, there are a lot of indigenous groups scattered across Mexico and the rest of Central America. Among Nahua, there are around 60 more groups.<\/p>\n

History of Aztec Tattoos<\/h2>\n
\"History
Saved Tattoo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Throughout history, we learned about different tattoo designs of many different empires and civilizations, but the Aztec tattoos are different than any others.<\/p>\n

Popular culture, comics, and TV show always hinted that Vikings and other Norsemen had tattoos across their bodies, but because of lack of evidence (skin decays after death), we can only rely on poems and journals of different travelers who lived at the time. With Aztec tattoos, we can be certain that they practiced body art because of the art they were leaving on their objects and monuments of the past.<\/p>\n

Aztec tattoos are authentic. They represent the social status of a warrior, shaman, or some other important entity in society. Additionally, Aztec people enjoyed tattoos as a mark of belonging in a specific group or tribe, while also being used to list accomplishments.<\/p>\n

Mostly, warriors would get tattoos, and the more tattoos the person had, the more they contributed to society as a warrior. Tattoos would distinguish them from other men, showing that they\u2019re important and that they should be respected.<\/p>\n

Unlike body art of other empires and civilizations, Aztec tattoos were always in black or grey ink, which is why a lot of people today don\u2019t opt for shading or using effects like watercolor when getting tattooed (although they\u2019re not restricted from that.)<\/p>\n

Usual tattoos in those times included skeletons, the sun, animals like a hummingbird or an eagle which was used to give respect to the supreme god of the Aztec mythology, warriors, headbands, headdress, or a body of a woman. If they were getting tattooed with a person, they\u2019d often wear a headdress which was a decoration of success and high social status.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Aztecs even inked their children to give respect to the Gods. It would also be used to instill stronger faith<\/a> and belief. If they\u2019d get a tattoo of the sun, which was the key symbol of Aztec culture, they\u2019d ink it on their chest or back. Today, a lot of people get a tattoo of the sun sitting at the center of the circular plate with various other symbols. They\u2019d often get it inked as the center of the Aztec calendar.<\/p>\n

Aztec Tattoo Meaning<\/h2>\n

As we walked you through the brief history of tattoos and Aztecs, you must slowly get the idea of what are the meanings behind the Aztec tattoos. If you still didn\u2019t get to figure it out, here is a detailed walkthrough of the meanings behind the Aztec symbols on tattoos.<\/p>\n

The Sun<\/h3>\n
\"Aztec
Credit: @mxgget<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The sun is the supreme symbol in the Aztec culture. It is the symbol of power and sacrifice and it marked the center of the Aztec world. It was the world itself, the heaven. Aztecs believed in multiple suns and the most powerful god of the Aztec culture was Huitzilopochtli, who was the god of sun, war, and sacrifice.<\/p>\n

You probably get the greater picture. Since Aztecs believed in being rewarded in the afterlife, they were sacrificing themselves and bringing the human sacrifices to the sun to mark its power and instill pure faith in it.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Aztecs also believed that the sun was one of the afterworlds that came after death. It was the heaven known as Tollan, where only warriors and women who died while giving birth could go.<\/p>\n

Skeleton<\/h3>\n

Although they\u2019re highly different compared to murder, death, and calamity, skeletons<\/a> in Aztec culture have a positive meaning. One of those meanings includes happiness, but it\u2019s also present as rebirth, fertility. The skull itself was the seed of fertility that would establish them as a civilization throughout history.<\/p>\n

Eagle<\/h3>\n

Eagles<\/a> were divine animals for Aztecs. They were usually depicted as statues with patterned feathers protruding from their bodies and heads. In most of their architecture, the eagles were shown with their beaks wide open and wings spread apart as if it\u2019s about to fly.<\/p>\n

Eagles were connected to Aztec warriors, as they manifested honor, strength, and courage. Most of the courageous warriors were adorned with eagle feathers and headdresses. More importantly, many people who consider themselves warriors against some physical or mental struggles today proudly wear the Aztec eagle tattoo.<\/p>\n

Crocodile<\/h3>\n

Crocodiles are divine creatures. Aztecs believed that the world laid on the bodies of crocodiles which represented their connection with Gods and other divine beings. Crocodiles today manifest creation, ambition, so a lot of creative souls get it tattooed. People who get crocodile tattoos don\u2019t shy away from adding tribal symbols onto their bodies, because crocodiles also meant creativity.<\/p>\n

Aztec Calendar<\/h3>\n
\"Aztec
Credit: @rubentrujillo89<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aztec and Mayan calendars with the sun in the middle were brought to attention in 2012 when the predicted end of the world was supposed to end. After the event didn\u2019t occur, many people were inspired to get the calendar inked. It is associated with eternity and the connection between a human soul and eternity. It also marks the beginning and the end of life, and time in general.<\/p>\n

Feathered Serpent<\/h3>\n
\"Aztec
Credit: @flyingt4cooo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The feathered serpent is another respected symbol in Aztec mythology, for it was believed to be the main protector of the world and everything that lives on it. With that in mind, the feathered serpent is the symbol of courage, protection, shielding, and love for the world.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a quite complex symbol that is hard to tattoo, so make sure to find a talented tattoo artist that can help bring your tattoo to life.<\/p>\n

40+ Best Aztec Tattoo Design Ideas<\/h2>\n

Now that we highlighted the key meanings of Aztec symbols that are popularly depicted in tattoos, let\u2019s take a look at some tattoo ideas that you can get inked.<\/p>\n