There’s something about cultural tattoos and their appearance that makes it so interesting to get, especially with the ancient history. If you’re aiming to get a tattoo with a rich culture and history, then you must consider Aztec tattoos. The Aztecs were a part of a huge civilization in South America, and they were well-known for their knowledge and use of art.
Art was the main source of communication that Aztecs used to interact with each other. It started off with body paints, but then they moved on to tattoos by trying out different shapes and motifs to create specific tattoo designs. Aztec tattoos involve so many details and shapes, which is why there is so much variety in these types of tattoos.
These tattoos are more popular among men and help add more to their masculine features. If you plan on getting an Aztec tattoo, you’ve come to the right place. Over here, you will come across some of the trendiest Aztec tattoo designs along with their historical and cultural meanings.
Meanings behind Aztec Tattoos
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The meanings behind Aztec tattoos are all about history and culture, which is why so many people get it as they want people to remember about this amazing civilization. Initially, the Aztecs would wear Aztec tattoos to honor the Aztec God, which was part of a ritualistic ceremony. Later on, they started to wear these tattoos to represent their warrior status. These tattoos helped warriors distinguish them from the rest.
There are many symbols that appear in different Aztec tattoos, which all have different meanings. One of the most popular Aztec tattoos is the Aztec Eagle, which represents courage, strength, bravery, and power. These tattoos were most popular among warriors. The Aztec feathered serpent is also a common one which represents Quetzalcoatl –a powerful Aztec God believed to be the protector of the world.
This tattoo also symbolizes creativity, fertility, and knowledge, as these were the features of this God. The Aztec crocodile symbolizes creation and has a very mythical meaning to it and depicted as a mythical creature that was half fish, half toad, and half crocodile. Most of these meanings are old, and many people in today’s time can’t relate to it. But because of the unique designs and different symbols and motifs used in Aztec tattoos, many people adorn their bodies with Aztec tattoos.
Moreover, many people get an Aztec tattoo even if they don’t know what it means. Most of the people wear these tattoos to show some respect to this ancient civilization, especially if they have the same roots. It’s good to know the meaning behind the tattoo, but you don’t necessarily have to relate to it.
Ideal Placement for Aztec Tattoos
Most of the Aztec tattoos are quite big in size and contain a lot of detail; hence it’s always best to go for body areas that provide coverage and give the tattoo artist the liberty to freely tattoo the design. A few of the most common placements for Aztec tattoos are arm and leg.
You can also opt for the thighs, back, and chest as these will give the tattoo a lot of space. Getting a tattoo on these placements makes the small detailing more visible. Not to mention, there are countless tiny elements available in an Aztec tattoo.
If you’re going for a small Aztec tattoo, you can consider getting it on your hand, neck, or even feet. Go for petite places for small Aztec tattoos, as this makes them more visible. You can basically get your Aztec tattoo tatted wherever you feel comfortable.
Wherever you get it tatted, it will still look unique and gracious as ever. All you need to do is find the right tattoo design, which you can choose from below, and then you can easily settle on the right placement.
Aztec Tattoo Ideas
Aztec Armband Tattoo
This Aztec armband tattoo is one of the most popular Aztec tattoos that include loads of elements. This tattoo consists of different Aztec armbands made out of different tribal designs and symbols – all inked in black and grey. There are some important symbols in this tattoo, like dragons, triangles, pots, and many other things.
There’s a lot going on in this tattoo, but what helps bring these elements in the spotlight is the shading that the tattoo artist has done in this tattoo. The shading helps give this tattoo a bold and masculine look. Many people go for this tattoo as the design looks very eye-catching, and no one can deny that. This is by far the best Aztec tattoo you can go for, especially if you want to get your arm tatted.
Mexican Aztec Tattoo
If you want a tattoo that includes a mixture of cultures, then you must go for this Mexican Aztec tattoo. These tattoos consist of some striking Aztec designs and symbols, which include a shaman, with many tiny tribal designs surrounding it. The tattoo appears in a circular motion tatted in solid grey and black ink.
This tattoo is all about getting the tribal realistic features right, so if you plan on getting it, make sure you first find a talented tattoo artist who can successfully pull of a realistic tattoo like this. This tattoo has a great symbolism of power and mysticism, which makes the tattoo look more bold and meaningful to get.
Aztec Skull Warrior Tattoo
Do you want to go for something intense and dramatic? Consider getting this Aztec skull warrior tattoo. This tattoo includes a black and grey inked warrior, showcasing a fight scene in the background with a dragon above the warrior skull. There are many other elements present in this tattoo that bring out the dramatic and realistic feature in this tattoo.
The shading and contouring technique in this tattoo is quite different than the rest. Hence you must get it done from a talented tattoo artist with skills and experience. If you’re all about showing dark and intense art on your body, then you know this is the one that you have to go for.
Tribal Woman Aztec Tattoo
Want to go for something unique? You can also opt for this tribal women Aztec tattoo. This tattoo includes half of a woman’s face tatted in a very realistic way, portraying the beautiful features of the women. There are some black and grey inked tribal designs that cover the woman’s face with some red swirls in the background. The detailing and contouring in this tattoo have been very carefully done, which is what helps achieve such a realistic and unique look.
There may be many reasons why you would want to get this tattoo, or it could be a good chance to get a tattoo of a beautiful woman tatted on your body. You can get more tribal elements added to this tattoo if you like; however, the ones already featured in this tattoo complement the design well and are good enough.
Aztec Sun Motif Tattoo
If you’re looking for a small or medium-size Aztec tattoo, then you should definitely opt for this Aztec sun motif tattoo. This tattoo includes a very rustic feature of a sun motif, and around it circles a few tribal designs. The sun motif tattoo itself includes so many tiny details that are very crucial to get right. The grey ink used in this tattoo helps achieve its rustic feature. This tattoo is perfect for you if you want a body tag that is minimal yet unique.
Aztec Dragon Tattoo
Dragons are one of the most important symbols present in Aztec tattoos. So if you want to go for a tattoo that is meaningful and includes an Aztec dragon, then the best option for you is this Aztec dragon tattoo. This tattoo involves a reddish and grey inked dragon with flared wings holding a red-inked cactus, which could spark up the negative and dark meaning in this tattoo. This tattoo is the perfect representation of the Aztec civilization and is something you shouldn’t miss out on if you want to add a cultural and dramatic design to your tattoo collection.
Aztec Sun God Tattoo
If you want to feature the real essence of Aztec tattoos, then you must give this Aztec Sun God Tattoo a shot as the Aztecs would mainly get tattoos to show respect to their God. This tattoo has more than one feature, which is what makes it more interesting. There is a symbol of a sun God inked in grey ink, and a few inches away is a skull warrior inked in red and black.
The artist has used some red and black tribal design to cover up the space between the Sun God and the Skull warrior. This is one of the most traditional Aztec tattoos that you shouldn’t miss out on if you want to portray the Aztec culture in your tattoo.
Aztec Animal Tattoo
Animals are a very common feature that appears in Aztec tattoos and makes your tattoo look more bold and intense. This Aztec animal tattoo includes a black, brown, and grey inked lion face surrounded by different tribal wallpaper designs and vintage rose tatted below the face of the lion. You can choose any other animal you like if not a lion, for e.g., a calf. The animals in this tattoo represent strength, which is one of the main attributes that many people try to find. This tattoo will help remind you to stay strong at all times.
FAQs
How much will an Aztec tattoo cost?
The price of your Aztec tattoo depends mostly on the size and design of the tattoo. Most tattoo artists charge according to the size. So if you’re going for a small Aztec tattoo, it should cost you around $40-$100, whereas, for a bigger one, you might have to pay around $100-$400. Aztec tattoos require a lot of detailing to bring out the realism; hence they may sometimes cost more than the average price. Some tattoo parlors charge on an hourly basis, which could also interfere with the price depending on how long it takes to complete the tattoo.
Can my tattoo cause blood infection?
Blood infection through tattooing is very likely, especially when the artist uses contaminated equipment for the process. This could cause major health issues like bloodborne diseases, hepatitis A, and B, and many other things. Hence, this is why it is important to go to a well-known popular tattoo parlor.
What Should I avoid before getting a tattoo?
There are a few things that you can avoid to ensure that you have a smooth tattooing process. You should avoid the consumption of alcohol the night before your appointment. Don’t take any medications or painkillers as it could come in the way of your tattooing process. Also, don’t skip a meal or breakfast before your appointment. What you must surely do is avoid all these things and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Conclusion
Now that you know some of the best and different Aztec tattoo designs available out there waiting for you to get, it’s going to be hard to miss out on these. These tattoos have very deep meanings and rich history and culture. There’s nothing better than a tattoo that tells a story, and all Aztec tattoos narrate some amazing ancient folktales. So don’t delay getting your favorite Aztec tattoo, and book your tattoo appointment ASAP!
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