70+ Best Aztec Tattoos With Deep Meaning

If you are inspired by the Aztec (Nahua) culture and looking to get an Aztec tattoo, you are in the right place! There are so many tattoo designs, and sometimes it’s hard to decide which one to choose. Therefore, we’ve done all the work for you. 

In this article, we will present the best Aztec tattoos, their meanings, and many perfect designs to express your solid nature. This type of tattoo will amaze you with its details and deep meaning, so let’s get to it!

The History of Aztecs

The ancient Aztec civilization was a world-famous state located on the territory of modern Mexico from the 14th to the 16th century. Additionally, it was the last population to live there before the European invasion. The Aztecs absorbed the culture and achievements of previous civilizations and created an empire of astonishing power.

Tattooing in Aztec Culture

Aztec tattoos have deep ancient roots, so there’s little known about tattooing in Aztec culture. For instance, some claim that Aztecs were not fans of tattooing and that this art wasn’t seen that often on their bodies, while others claim that tattooing was quite a popular hobby amongst Aztecs. 

However, what we know for sure is that tattooing was a mysterious ritual in the Aztec religion, and here are some interesting facts about it:

• Only people with a high social status, such as soldiers, priests, and influential leaders, had them on their skin.

• The person who makes a tattoo is considered the most famous and honored person. Besides, Aztec body art was only a men’s privilege. 

• Aztecs used tattoos to signify belonging to a particular group or tribe and to list accomplishments.

• Aztec culture has given us many symbols which are extensively used in modern tattooing. Below, we explain the meaning of symbols such as the sun, eagle, skeleton, and more.

Best Styles for Aztec Tattoos

As there are plenty of tattoo styles, it is essential to understand which one suits your Aztec tattoo. The best options are realistic, traditional, and tribal as they combine bold black lines, patterns, and 2D flat drawings. But you can also experiment with biochemical, neo-traditional, dotwork, or blackwork.

The Best Body Part for Aztec Tattoos

Aztecs created tattoos in honor of several gods during religious rituals. And the location also depended on a religious basis. The chest, arm, wrist, and trunk were the best areas because the energy of the gods passed through these parts and strengthened the connection with them. But nowadays, it doesn’t matter where you consider putting the ink. 

So we present you with the best locations for Aztec tattoo designs.

Arm Tattoo Ideas

Men consider their hands to be the most substantial part of their bodies. A tattoo on a man’s arms always looks stylish and sexy, especially if it is an Aztec design. It can emphasize the strength of your shoulders and biceps, and you can hide it easily. 

The Sleeve Aztec Tattoo Designs

Because the arm is less painful than other body parts, you can get a sizable Aztec sleeve tattoo with lots of detail. The blackwork technique is ideal for this type of tattoo. You can also do a half sleeve on your forearm, or it can be part of a previous design.

Neck Tattoo Ideas

The neck is the best place for those who don’t want to hide their tattoo. You can choose a large image extending to the back of your neck or your chest and back. The best Aztec tattoos featuring birds are eagle and phoenix tattoos, which will look great on your neck.

Chest Tattoos

The chest was a meaningful placement for Aztecs to get a tattoo. Often they put it on there to protect themselves from enemies. So it is an excellent option for those who want to emphasize muscles and have a meaningful tattoo.

Leg Tattoo Ideas

Legs are the perfect place for Aztec tattoos because the ample space can contain a large drawing. You can make a tattoo on your thigh, knee, or shin. It is also good to get inked the whole leg from hip to toes with several Aztec gods or patterns.

 Back Tattoo Ideas

Aztec tattoo designs look very impressive on the back because there is a lot of space to make a sizeable detailed scale. It often creates an entire scene, combining various images and animals in a consistent and complementary manner.

Trendy Aztec Tattoo Designs

If we talk about the drawings, the most popular are images of various gods because the Aztecs dedicated their tattoos to them to perform certain rituals. But today, tattoo artists adapt the ideas to modern trends so that you can find various animals, people, and even pyramids. These body arts contain many small details, so you need a skilled master to get them inked.

The God of the Sun

There are so many gods of the sun in Aztec culture that it can be confusing to pick one for a tattoo. Here’s a short guide:

1. Huitzilopochtli – the war god, the warrior of the sun.
2. Quetzalcoatl (feathered serpent) – the god of life.
3. Chalchiuhtlicue – the goddess of water.
4. Tlaloc – the god of rain. The meaning of this name is “He Who Makes Things Sprout.”
5. Tezcatlipoca –  the god of the night sky.
6. Nanahuatzin – the god of respect, the most humble of gods.

We explain some of them in this article, and now let’s talk about Huitzilopochtli.

As the head of age, Huitzilopochtli is a patron of the sky, sun, war and the main god in Aztec mythology. You can put it as the sun’s image with its face or a shaman with a snake and weapon on your tattoo as a symbol of power and sacrifice.

Skeleton Tattoo

When we think about the skeleton as a symbol, death and murder come to our minds as quickly as possible. But in Aztec culture, it has a positive sense. Skeleton means fertility, happiness, and rebirth. You can combine it with patterns or animals to make it more significant.

Eagle Tattoo

The eagle in Aztec tattoo is the symbol of strength and bravery. Warriors always depicted this bird on their skin to feel these qualities during their fights with enemies. This tattoo design looks gorgeous on the chest or back.

Aztec Calendar

The Aztec calendar is the most famous symbol of this civilization. But there are reports that it is not a calendar but simply a picture of the sun with twenty days on a stone. This drawing describes the four eras of the Aztecs, their decline, and the beginning of the fifth era. Many small pictures in this tattoo join together to form a large circle. 

Remember that putting the Aztec calendar on your skin will take several sessions.

Quetzalcoatl (Feathered Serpent Aztec Symbol)

The feathered serpent is a mysterious symbol of Aztec culture. This drawing depicts one of the main gods in the Aztec religion Quetzalcoatl, which symbolizes life, wiseness, and pure light. The feathered serpent can be in a trendy color ink or with other Aztec characters like scull or warrior.

Aztec Princess Tattoo

Women play a significant role in Aztec mythology. There are more than fifteen famous goddesses. Usually, they looked like snakes with female heads. Some of them include:

1. Chalchiuhtlicue: one of the most prominent Aztec goddesses, the symbol of storms and water.
2. Mictlantecuhtli: the goddess of death and the afterlife.
3. Tlazolteotl: the goddess of steam baths, purification, and midwives.
4. Mayahuel: the plant goddess.
5. Cihuacoatl: the goddess of fertility and motherhood.

Aztec goddesses symbolize health, science, rain, water, and love. For your best Aztec tattoo, you can choose either a face or a warrior woman on your skin.

Aztec God of Death Tattoo

Mictlantecuhtli, the god of death, was an influential person in the Aztec religion. He is a figure with a skull face. People put it on the skin to protect their lives from a premature end. This extravagant drawing suits those who aren’t afraid to express themselves.

Aztec Pyramid 

Aztec pyramids are one of the most significant structures in their civilization. The temples were on top of the constructions. Some famous are the temple of the Sun and one of the Moon. The pyramid Aztec tattoo can be a way to impress people and show your genuine faith, devotion, and perseverance. Usually, the pyramid is an element of other Aztec compositions, but also can be as a main drawing.

Patterns in Aztec Tattoo

Patterns are present in all Aztec tattoos. Sometimes people confuse Mayan and Aztec patterns with each other. But the difference is that Aztec designs are flatter and always done in black. This pattern is a good option for an original tattoo on your armband.

Animals in Aztec Art

Animals play an important role in Aztec tattooing. Often warriors placed them in a tattoo to feel their power, strength, speed, and other characteristics for success in battle. Besides, several gods were in the form of animals. Some of the most popular animals are:

• Jaguar;
• Crocodile;
• Snake;
• Lion;
• Dragon.

They look great in a combination of patterns and skulls. Or you can get them as an element of a warrior helmet.

Aztec Warrior Tattoo

Because the Aztecs were known as a warlike civilization, warriors were honorable men in society. Tattoos were necessary for them as talismans and protection from enemies or as a way to show their nobility and victory. You can put a warrior on your skin as a symbol of masculine strength, success, and courage. The best locations are your arms and legs. Often warrior is depicted with a sword or helmet with an eagle.

Summary

The Aztec civilization was a powerful warlike state. Their achievements are world famous and well documented in history. We collected the best ideas for your Aztec tattoo and gave you information about their symbols. You can get this tattoo on your skin if you like interesting, meaningful drawings that can describe you as a confident and expressive person. 

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