The avocado, also known as the alligator pear, inspires tattoos that naturally denote an equilibrium between hard and soft; this is due to its brown woody center, fleshy lime-green exterior, spectrum of symbolism, and versatility in its inked renditions.
Avocado tattoos can be subtle and small with minimalistic black lines and Dotwork, or they can be enlarged into a bright and fruitful avocado tree.
Avocado trees symbolize spiritual nourishment, while avocados’ health benefits serve as a more literal sustenance. Even though vegans have adopted avocado tattoos as an indicator of their diet, avocados’ addictively fresh flavor allows them to fit right into food collages alongside pepperoni pizza.
The black skin of the ripe avocado can be exaggerated for a rougher texture, while crosshatching and sketch work can give the tattoo a more artistic take. The pit can include modern geometric lines, or it can have a lovable cartoony face to make for an inviting piece.
Banners encircling avocado tattoos sometimes contain punny messages that range from “Heart of Stone” (referring to the hard pit) to “Holy Guacamole!” (you get the idea). Additionally, the etymology behind the word “avocado” comes from the ancient Aztec word “ahuacatl,” meaning “testicles,” so the accompanying lettering can tell a tasteful joke or reveal the sacred fruit’s masculine properties. Avocados were given this name due to their perceived aphrodisiac qualities, signifying passion and prowess. For a more wholesome reference to love, two people can get one half of an avocado tattooed – but have fun arguing over who gets the pit!
Speaking of avocados’ Mexican origin, people can celebrate their culture or nationality by getting this tattoo, perhaps with a Day of the Dead spin or with an outline mimicking the border of Mexico.
For a contemporary meaning, skins can use an avocado as a sign of workers’ rebellion, as real estate millionaire Tim Gurner recently remarked that millennials cannot afford housing because they are dwindling their money away on smashed avocado over toast at $22 a pop. This tinge of irony can make for a great inside joke, or you can embrace Gurner’s slanted comment as an observation of your boujie lifestyle.
