Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec version of the Feathered Serpent and makes a brilliant symbolic tattoo motif for Mexican and other Latin American people.
The Feathered Serpent is a prominent god found in many Mesoamerican religions. Quetzalcoatl was known as the deity of wind and rain, the bringer of knowledge, and the inventor of books.
The Aztecs operated under a system of structure, ritual, and superstition that included tattooing as a part of everyday life. Quetzalcoatl was one of the chief totems for ink, but also for art, stone carving, and architecture.
Aztec imagery developed a variety of intricate designs, patterns, and motifs focused on repetition and development of shape, pattern, and geometric structures. This style has flowed through to contemporary tattoo culture.
The following gallery showcases some of the most amazing tattoo designs referencing the Feathered Serpent in fantastic colors and black and gray. If you’re looking to get a beautiful Aztec design inspiration.
1. Bracelet Quetzalcoatl Tattoos
2. Tattoo Ideas for the Chest
3. Colorful Tattoo Designs
4. Forearm Tattoo Art
5. Tattoo Ideas for the Lower Leg
6. Neo-Traditional Tattoo Art
7. Ouroboros Quetzalcoatl Tattoos
8. Shoulder Tattoo Designs
9. Small and Simple Tattoos
10. Stone Effect Tattoos
11. Traditional Tattoo Concepts
FAQs
What do Quetzalcoatl tattoo designs symbolize?
Quetzalcoatl is the Aztec version of the Feathered Serpent, a prominent god found in many Mesoamerican religions.
Quetzalcoatl was known as the deity of wind and rain, the bringer of knowledge, and the inventor of books.
Did the Aztecs have tattoos?
Aztec tattooing was an important part of their amazing displays of art and culture; developing a variety of intricate designs, patterns, and motifs focused on repetition and development of shape, pattern, and geometric structures.
The expressive Aztec art style was based upon their passion to avoid death and conquer disaster, which is part of the reason why the Aztecs took sacrifices to an unprecedented level.
A lot of fundamental Aztec designs are still incorporated into modern day Latinx tattooing across the southern USA, Mexico, and Central Latin America.
What styles of Quetzalcoatl tattoo are most popular?
With the Quetzalcoatl being such a bright and lurid image it makes a fantastic theme for contemporary tattoo designs such as watercolor ink or vibrant neo-traditional
The expressive Aztec art style was based upon their passion to avoid death and conquer disaster, which is part of the reason why the Aztecs took sacrifices to an unprecedented level.
A lot of fundamental Aztec designs are still incorporated into modern day Latinx tattooing across the southern USA, Mexico, and Central Latin America.
What do other Aztec tattoo symbols mean?
Different Aztec tattoos were ascribed meanings reflecting key elements of everyday life.
For example, the sun is a recurring, hugely important sacred part of Aztec tattoo symbolizing the giving of life and was central to everything, such as religion, crops, and the Aztec Calendar.
Other key Aztec symbols included animals close to the Aztecs such as jaguars, bears, monkeys, frogs, and eagles. The animals acted as totems for the personalities and behavior of the Aztecs.
Aztec symbolism also venerated the deeds of great warriors, so many auspicious types of body art celebrated bravery and skill in battle.
Where should I place my Quetzalcoatl ink?
Quetzalcoatl is such a striking image it suits almost any range of sizes and body placements.
The most popular placements for Quetzalcoatl ink include:
- The thigh
- The inner forearm
- The ribs
- The shoulder and back
- The chest
- Lower leg