If you are interested in making Aztec and Mayan tattoos remember that they are two of the oldest civilizations. The Aztecs lived during the 3500th century until the 4000th century in the territory of Mexico, while the Mayans lived in the south of Mexico and in the north of Central America and their territory includes the entire Yucatan Peninsula. The duration of the Mayan culture was almost XNUMX years and its first peoples emerged almost XNUMX years ago.
Tattoos in these civilizations They were used as a distinctive sign in the different tribes. They displayed their ranks as warriors, their achievements, too, they used to honor their deities. They did it through rituals always in honor of a particular god.
The aztec tattoos nowadays and their meanings are very popular. They can be done in black ink or bright colours, and the designs range from sacred geometry, to intricate, highly decorated and ornate motifs. Many times they combine the modern style with some historical appearance.
The mayan tattoos They were performed on men as well as women, although men waited until marriage to have them done. Women got delicate tattoos on their upper bodies. Men did it on the arms, back, hands, legs, and face.
Within the symbols they used powerful animals such as snakes, eagles, jaguars, which were the favorites of nobles and warriors, and spiritual symbols to express harmony and balance.
Next, we are going to see some designs of Aztec and Mayan tattoos with meaning so that you have ideas and can define yourself by the one that most connects with your interior.
Aztec skull tattoo
Within Aztec tattoos, skulls are very popular, in this case it represents a warrior. It's a very realistic design. The skulls have a deep symbology where they represent feelings and emotions. In this design she is accompanied by an eagle, where it symbolizes courage, strength and power and it is a way to honor the warriors.
Mayan Hunab Ku Tattoo
Within the Mayan tattoos, the Hunab Ku is a very important and sacred symbol for them. Represents peace, unity, balance, integrity of the universe, is similar to the Asian yin yang symbol.
The Mayans see it as a way to represent the cycle of life. It is a very popular tattoo that corresponds to that civilization, they did it in large dimensions and they tattooed it on the arms or also on the hands.
Aztec tattoo bracelet snake with feathers or Quetzacoált
Aztec tattoos are very popular for bracelet designs, where they use the gradient technique to achieve the texture of the stone. It is one of the most important characteristics of the tattoos of this culture, in which where this material stands out as a fundamental element in the decoration of many pieces and works of art found throughout history.
For this type of design they use the feathered and winged serpent also known as Quetzacoált, considered guardian of the weather and creator of corn, a very important food for this culture.
It is for that reason that he was one of the main gods that they honored in their tattoos. Also, he represents prosperity and fertility can appear in multiple forms such as a dragon or a feathered serpent.
Mayan calendar tattoo
El mayan calendar is very special it was a very advanced civilization At the time, it is made with very complex and precise systems and they carried out doing astronomical studies of the universe. Today astronomers have explained that in this calendar the calculation is almost perfect of the passage of time.
You have unusual patterns to represent celestial bodies like stars and planets and it is an original design and a great choice for tattoo art on your body.
Aztec calendar tattoo
Es also known as sun stone and it is one of the oldest designs of the Aztec culture. It is a very widespread symbol and has become a very popular tattoo of this magical civilization.
The face you see in the design is of the sun god Tonatiuh, in which its claws are taking a human heart and its tongue represents a knife that would be the sacrifices that society would have to make for the universe to continue working.
Many scholars on the subject believe that this symbol is a stone monolith used on a sacrificial altar where the days of the year were also designed, which is why it was considered a calendar. It is a design that has great power and mystery., a good option if you connect with this civilization to carry it on your body.
Mayan Emperor Tattoo
Within Mayan tattoos the emperor was a very recurring design in the world of tattoos. He presents him characterized as a warrior with his clothes and weapons. He symbolizes bravery and courage, as well as strength, great power and protection. His function was to be the intermediary between the people and the gods.
It is a great design that can give you all the strength and courage as well as protection in moments of weakness or lack of guidance in your path.
Aztec Goddess Tattoo
Within Aztec tattoos goddess designs were very popular, they wore these designs on their body to honor them. Their gods are full of symbolism, they believed in them, and they practiced rituals to venerate them. They are the mysterious and magical traditions of this civilization.
One of the most popular to design in tattoos was the Aztec goddess Coyolxauhqui, she represented the moon.
To finish, Within the Aztec and Mayan tattoos there are differences, Mayan tattoos require slightly more rounded shapes, they also use blue a lot, which is considered a sacred color.
Recall that The Mayans were a much older civilization than the Aztecs. and they dominated architecture and astronomy so war issues were not so frequent. Instead, the Aztecs were a conquering civilization and he used many strong colors, natural motifs, animals, warriors.
Some Mayan tattoos are a little simpler in terms of design, equally the two civilizations coincide in terms of designs related to agriculture, astronomy and in terms of honoring their gods.
If you were thinking about getting Aztec and Mayan tattoos, now you have some information that can help you decide and choose the right one for you.