Body Art or Rebellion- Tattoos Have Attitude
Tara A. Spears
Public attitude towards modifying your body has come full cycle. Tattooing was once looked upon as vulgar or something only criminals did. The history of tattooing in Mexico dates back to pre-Hispanic civilizations, such as those of the Aztecs and Mayans.
At the time, tattoos had spiritual and social significance, and were used to identify social class, achievement, and the individual’s role in the society. Most tattoo aficionados have an evolving saga on their body. “My tattoos are a source of strength — they crystalize what’s important to me in life” said one friend. Another shared that she “is a big believer in the power of symbols and how they can hold meaning and memories. My tattoos reflect who I am.”
By the twentieth century, body modifications had gained immense popularity in North American culture. But for centuries tattoos were commonplace for the Maya. The Maya saw body modifications as symbols of strength, representations of their religious beliefs and spirituality, and demonstrations of social status. Maya believed that the pain and suffering involved with body modifications helped them achieve higher status and pleased their gods. The wealthy and warriors often sought spiritual enlightenment by adorning their bodies in elaborate tattoos. Maya tattoos consisted of images of the gods they worshiped and powerful animals. By the 16th century, the Spanish missionaries of the Franciscan Order in Yucatan, first documented a marking on Mayan warriors as indicating that the warrior had won a battle.
Part of the appeal of tattoos is the symbolism of the art. Originally, Aztec tattoos were only done in a ritual to honor an Aztec god. Later they were used to distinguish members of a tribe or to symbolize a warrior’s status. Today, Aztec tattoo are more varied as they often depict characters from the Aztec’s pictorial language, Nahuatl.
Due to the reverence for the images, it follows that the person who created a tattoo was considered the honored person within their community. Many Aztec symbols are widely used in modern tattooing. Common symbols can be jaguar, calendar, the sun, eagle, skeleton, warrior. One popular symbol is the 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.
Another popular tattoo in modern times is a koi. A koi fish is a symbol of resilience and the determination to overcome life’s struggles. Its journey against the current mirrors human experiences of striving against challenges to achieve personal goals.
Many vacationing women choose a mermaid/ serena for their tattoo. A mermaid tattoo typically represents a connection to the sea, freedom, femininity, mystery, and allure; often signifying the duality of human nature by combining the human form with a fish tail, symbolizing both the conscious and subconscious aspects of oneself, or the balance between different aspects of life.
More and more visitors are discovering the advantage of getting a tattoo during their Mexican vacation, namely significant savings when compared to prices up North. Coastal Nayarit has 2 quality tattoo shops: one in north Penita and one in Guayabitos central. Note that Mexican legislation prohibits tattooing, micropigmentation and piercing of persons under 18 years of age unless they are accompanied by an adult.
Two area shops offer top-notch artistry while thoroughly adhering to Mexico’s stringent health requirements. In north Penita, Jose Salinas Herrerra, 322 122 6910, has 15 years experience as a tattooist. He is located in north Penita in La Colonia on Las Garzas Avenue Street #48. Call for an appointment between 9 am to 9 pm.
The other Tattoo shop is in south Guayabitos, across the street from the Hotel Margarita. Artist Roman, 449 232 6806 or Miguel Angel 492 233 8674, come highly recommended.
What a fun way to immortalize your Mexican vacation by getting a new tattoo! Tattoos are a great conversation starter- people can look at your tattoos and see who you are and where you have been. Regardless of your reason for wanting body art, dare to be bold!
For those interested to learn more about Aztec tattoos, check out this source: https://inkmat.ch/insights/
