Mexican Tattoos Represent Mesoamerican Cultural Heritage


They are often used to show pride in the country. One example is a cat that was saved from a Mexican prison after being tattooed by a notorious drug gang.

Aztec Eagle

The Aztec Eagle is a beloved symbol in Mexico with a long history. The eagle represents the sun, earth, and sky and is associated with freedom and equality.




They named their capital city Tenochtitlan after the eagle they saw. The Aztec Eagle is an important symbol of Mexico and is recognized worldwide.

Aztec Calendar

It is still used today in jewelry, fashion, tattoos, and home decor. The calendar consists of two systems: the year count and the day count, both based on the sun and seasons.

Each year in the Aztec calendar was divided into 18 periods of 20 days, with an additional five “nameless” days. The Calendar Stone, carved with an image of the Aztec sun god and other glyphs, represents the 260-day calendar.

Aztec Sun

The sun was highly revered by the Aztecs as the source of life. They worshipped it as a god and performed rituals, including human sacrifice, to honor it. The Aztec Sun Stone, a large basalt rock with hieroglyphic symbols, represents the face of the sun god Tonatiuh.

The Sun Stone depicts Tonatiuh holding human hearts and his tongue shaped like a sacrificial knife. It is believed that the Aztecs used a calendar system based on the Sun Stone. The stone was carved before the Spanish invasion and has since become a significant part of Mexican culture.

Aztec Moon

The Aztecs observed the night sky and believed in an orderly world order based on the movement of stars, planets, and the sun. The struggle between the sun god Huitzilopochtli and nocturnal gods is depicted as an epic duel.

Coyolxauhqui, a warrior goddess, was defeated by her brother Huitzilopochtli, and a stone sculpture commemorates this event. Other lunar-related deities like Cihuacoatl and decapitated goddesses were associated with weather events. The Aztecs believed in cycles of destruction and rebirth.

In conclusion, Mexican tattoos, the Aztec Eagle, the Aztec Calendar, the Aztec Sun, and the Aztec Moon all hold deep significance in Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. These symbols represent the country’s history, beliefs, and pride.