mexico is one of the places where citizens celebrate the day of the dead and other death-related festivities with glamor and glitz. Mexicans identify death as an event to celebrate rather than mourn. they show their love and respect for deceased family members on this day.
Tattoos have been a big deal in Mexican culture, especially when it comes to the design you choose. There are an unlimited number of Mexican tattoo designs, and each one has a deep meaning that relates to the culture. From skeletons to sweet skulls and roses, Mexican tattoos look absolutely stunning, especially the colored ones.
If you feel connected to the Mexican culture and you like its tradition, the best way to appreciate that connection is to get a Mexican tattoo. We have put together some of the best Mexican tattoo ideas for you. These ideas will help you choose the right tattoo. read below to learn the meanings associated with each tattoo.
the meaning behind mexican tattoos
Mexican tattoos have something in common; all of them have some association with their religious belief. The skeleton and skull tattoo is associated with the loss of a loved one. Mexico is famous for many cultural beliefs, and to this day these beliefs are celebrated and remembered. One of the best ways Mexicans do it is by tattooing these designs on their bodies.
The colors present in tattoos also have different meanings; for example, red symbolizes sacrifice and white symbolizes faith. Make sure that whatever Mexican tattoo you choose, you are aware of its meaning and why you want to get it. It will help you better explain to your tattoo artist what you want to portray, and achieve a more realistic and presentable tattoo.
perfect locations for Mexican tattoos
With so much variety in Mexican tattoos, you can choose to put it wherever you want on your body. Popularly, many Mexican tattoos like the skull candy or the skull bride appear on the entire arm as sleeve tattoos. Many descriptive tattoos are also inked on the chest like the falcon and snake tattoos or Aztec tattoos. the back and leg are also suitable places for a Mexican tattoo.
Design plays an important role in placement, so make sure you pick the right spot according to the pattern. Some tattoos that are small in size look perfect on the arm or near the wrist. If you are looking for a great descriptive tattoo, consider getting them on your back or chest. Once you’ve chosen the right design below, you can quickly discover the perfect placement for your Mexican tattoo.
Mexican tattoo ideas
the skeleton bride
The skeleton bride is one of the most popular Mexican tattoos you will come across. These tattoos are associated with the favorite Mexican holiday known as the Day of the Dead celebration. This tattoo consists of a black and white inked skeleton dressed as a bride, with a flowing veil over her head and some skull candy designs on her face. you can choose to add some colors for extra function.
Some skeleton bride tattoos include the full body where the skeleton appears in a full wedding dress, and some designs only include the skull. If you want to show how proud you are of this beloved festival and go wild with your tattoo then this is the right design for you. you can wear it perfectly on your arm or back, depending on the size of your tattoo.
native american mexican skull
Some Mexican tattoos have a Native American twist, like this Native American hat tattoo. This tattoo gives off a fierce vibe and is perfect for someone looking for something unique and impressive. This tattoo features a Native American skull in black and gray ink with many Native American feathers.
For this tattoo, you must first find a tattoo artist with excellent skills, as this tattoo requires a lot of detail and precision. the shading and contouring bring out the realistic feature of this tattoo. this tattoo is usually large; therefore, it is better to tattoo it on the back. you can try reducing the size if you want it to appear on your arm.
candy skull tattoo
The candy skull tattoo is one of the most exciting Mexican tattoo designs you will ever see. it helps to portray a skeleton in a fun way instead of showing the dark and gloomy side. This tattoo includes a jeweled skull with colorful makeup outlined in black ink. What helps this tattoo to pop is the different radiant colors present in it. you can also opt for a white ink skull candy.
mexican skull candy tattoos symbolize the festivities of “day of the dead” which is a famous festival celebrated in mexico. Instead of mourning the loss of a loved one, Mexicans celebrate the life of the deceased with color. it also symbolizes the hope and joy of seeing his loved one. Many people get this tattoo just because they love skulls, and the skull candy usually looks cooler than the normal fierce skull tattoo. you can wear this tattoo perfectly on your arm.
the Mexican skull rose
Try something fun with your tattoo and go for this famous Mexican skull with rose tattoo. This tattoo includes black and white ink with roses in red ink near the top of the skull. sometimes the skull includes a portrait of a beautiful woman. again, this tattoo also signifies the day of the dead celebrations.
The skull in this tattoo symbolizes both life and death, while the rose represents love and beauty. both objects combined show the concept of good versus evil. You can choose to get this tattoo on your arm, thigh, or back. You can always add some skull candy designs on the skull to enhance the look of the Mexican tattoo.
Mexican Aztec tattoos
Aztec designs are quite popular in Mexican tattoos. These tattoos feature some impressive Aztec designs with different symbols. Most Aztec tattoos include shamans, monkeys, butterflies, and other things that are highly symbolic. Some of the Mexican Aztec tattoos consist of black and white ink while others use all kinds of colored ink which makes the tattoo stand out.
Aztec tattoos symbolize power, mysticism and energies. you can also add animals or insects like a butterfly, which symbolizes transformation. It complements well with the Aztec tattoo and meaning as it shows your transformation to a healthier person. other symbols like a frog represent joy and a monkey represents dance. Some Mexican Aztec tattoos consist of tribal designs that look perfect on the chest, while others look good on the back and arm.
till death do us part
If you want to be a little creative and cutesy with your tattoo, you can go for this tattoo until death do us part. This tattoo includes two skeletons, and the accessories help distinguish the male from the female. Mostly these tattoos include colored ink as it makes it stand out more; however, you can opt for a simple black and white ink. you can also add the phrase “till death do us part”.
This tattoo is perfect for you if you have lost a loved one as you can get this tattoo in their memory. It is also a great way to express your love for your other half and tell them that the two of you are inseparable. the ideal place for this tattoo would be on your arm, but if you are looking for a larger version of this then your back would be the perfect place.
Mexican flag and eagle tattoo
If you are a fellow Mexican who wants to show pride and respect for their country, this eagle and Mexican flag tattoo is the perfect choice for you. This tattoo includes a Mexican flag that includes green, white, and red ink that stands out against an eagle in brown ink. There are different ways to present this tattoo. you can choose to have the eagle on the flag or next to the flag. the perfect place to ink this tattoo would be on your arm or forearm; however, if it’s bigger, you can get it tattooed on your back.
gun and mexican rose tattoo
This gun and Mexican rose tattoo is another popular Mexican tattoo that leaves you with some fantastic images on your body. This tattoo includes guns inked in black and gray with roses in red ink next to them. you can choose to add one large rose instead of many. the weapon represents a significant movement in Mexican culture as Mexicans love to use weapons.
This tattoo portrays a beautiful meaning by showing that there is beauty in goodness and evil as well. the rose signifies beauty while the weapon represents death and evil. You can choose to get this extraordinary tattoo on your arm, back, or near your stomach. Many people get this tattooed on their thigh for a unique look.
the Mexican floral skull
You can go for this beautiful floral Mexican skull tattoo and make a style statement. this tattoo is perfect for you like flower designs. This tattoo includes a black and white skull with different small flowers. You can also go for a design that includes a simple black and white skull with black and white flowers for a great background.
The flattering combination of flowers and the skull symbolizes good and evil. shows that each person has two sides; one is the good side, and the other is bad. this tattoo also symbolizes the continuous cycle of life and death. You may even perceive this tattoo as healing or sadness because a person may feel broken inside and just trying to put on a brave face. the ideal place for this tattoo would be on the back or arm.
frequently asked questions
can men remove the mexican sugar skull tattoo?
absolutely yes! men can surely achieve the sugar skull tattoo by adding a masculine feature; however, that is not necessary. Anyone can get the sugar skull tattooed on their bodies. If you don’t feel comfortable with all the colors, you can opt for one that includes black and white ink, which gives it a more masculine touch.
how much do mexican tattoos cost?
Mexican tattoos would cost the same as any other tattoo; however, this depends on the design, size, and artist of the tattoo. Some Mexican tattoos include a lot of detail and great landscapes, especially Mexican Aztec tattoos. so this would cost more than the candy skull tattoo. Some tattoo parlors may charge more, especially those that are quite efficient at their work. some of them charge by the hour.
how painful will it be to get a mexican tattoo on my chest?
If you plan on getting a Mexican tattoo on your chest, then you should be prepared to experience some pain as chest tattoos are much more painful than other areas of the body. this is due to the ribs present under the skin. areas that have more bone and less fat will hurt more. however, this shouldn’t stop you from getting one, as it’s worth the pain once you’ve achieved the correct images on your body.
final thoughts
Now that you have an idea of the different Mexican tattoos, you can easily choose the right Mexican tattoo for you. Each of these tattoos comes with a rich history and meaning and this is what makes it more beautiful and impressive. If you feel like you can relate to the Mexican culture in any way, you should get one of these tattoos right away.
