Alongside the words “smile now, cry later,” the smiling and weeping pair of theater masks are common design examples of the quintessentially Chicano tattoo.
When Freddy Negrete first inked a “smile now, cry later” tattoo dedicated to the hard faces Mexican Americans had to wear in difficult circumstances, it is doubtful he knew how profound the impact would be.
Smile now cry later represents the need to hide weakness from enemies on the street and informs many of the designs utilized in Chicano tattooing.
For others collectors (I have the theater masks tattooed on my right shoulder blade in black and gray), tragedy/comedy is a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, and keeping an outwardly even keel is a good way of dealing with different emotions.
The following collection of smile now, cry later designs showcase the best in chicano tattooing and symbolic body art dedicated to these theater masks.
1. Chicano Tattoo Ideas
2. Clown Tattoo Designs
3. Feminine Smile Now Cry Later Tattoos
4. Tattoos for the Forearm
5. Leg Tattoos
6. Theater Mask Tragedy Comedy Tattoos
7. Neck Tattoos
8. Shoulder Ink
9. Skull Variations on Smile Now Cry Later
What does “Chicano Tattooing” mean?
The term “Chicano” refers to Americans of Mexican descent, and while there are Chicano communities in every state, the origins of the tattoo style arose in California.
The Chicano tattoo style is characterized by a black and gray color palette, elaborate lettering, and the fine lines used to produce a variety of different design elements, including religious iconography, pinup girls, script, and gang-related content.
What do smile now cry later tattoos symbolize in Chicano tattooing?
In Chicano tattoo, the concept of smile now cry later is used to represent the need to hide weakness from enemies on the street and informs many of the designs utilized in Chicano tattooing.
It’s a reminder that you need to be tough on the outside, and keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself, for when the time is acceptable to show grief, softness, or compassion.
What do female clowns (Payasa) symbolize in chicano tattoos?
The female clown, or payasa in Spanish, is a common element in Chicano tattoos that grew out of the street philosophy of “smile now, cry later.”
Add in a little stylized sexuality and you get these Chicano pinup girls sporting clown makeup, or incorporated into the theater masks.
Many clients choose a specific face for their payasas, most commonly wives and girlfriends (the people you show your real emotions to), although some choose to commemorate their favorite actresses in these stunning black and gray tattoos.
What is the historical meaning of the tragedy/comedy theater masks?
The comedy and tragedy symbol dates back to Greek Mythology and is a central representation of the creative arts, including theatre, film, and television.
People often think these masks were just a symbol or design created by early thespians, but they actually started out as a tangible mask that was worn.
These masks were used in early plays to represent emotions. It was easier for audience members who were sitting far away from the stage to see the masks and the emotions they were portraying, and for men playing the roles of women in the theater to display them.