In the world of tattoos what tends to attract the attention of most is the ancient Aztec art form. Aztec tattoos for men features everything from humans to nature, with rattlesnakes tending to be the most popular.

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Aztec Tattoos in History

The history of Aztec art form comes across as an interesting one that goes back to the 12th century AD where you would find a capital city of the Aztecs rising upon the islets in Lake Texcoco. In Aztec culture, they used to get tattooed during religious ceremonies in the name of their gods and Aztec warriors painted their body before heading to war.

Chest, wrists, and stomach were the most common parts to be tattooed as they were considered to be the seats of power. Each of their designs is extremely realistic and life like. This expressive style of art was used to represent their passion to conquer disasters and avoid death. A tattoo that comes alive in their skin and altogether tells a story of one filled with a rich and happy life.

Significance of Aztec Tattoos for Men

Aztec tattoos for men are a form of expression of power and victory and many more emotions altogether giving birth to a great form of art. For example, frog symbolizes happiness, the butterfly represents transformation, and a warrior hovering over his enemy says conquest and victory.

These days many choose Aztec tattoos because they give an exotic vibe and are trendy, besides, they carry this feel of wilderness with them. Here are meanings of some of the Aztec tattoos:

Eagles

This bird represents power, courage, and strength. The Aztecs honored Eagles, most of their warriors rarely doubted in choosing this symbol to express their courage, power, strength, and bravery. The tattoos in Aztec culture were also to denote ranks amongst the warriors. The one who captures more than four enemies can then become either Eagle or Jaguar Knight. These two had equal ranks but their expression was a lot different. Eagle knights followed Huitzilopochtli God and the Jaguar knights followed Tezcatlipoca as their god.

Sun

The Aztecs believed the world has been destroyed four times in the past, and this period is the fifth time of life. Along with this, they believed that each period was ruled by a sun god and this period has the fifth sun god. These sun Aztec tattoos rank high in popularity as they had many sun gods.

Calendar

Calendar stone is a massive carved stone which has an intricate and well-detailed design; it was found near the cathedral in a Mexican city. This stone represents the face of the fifth sun, which according to Aztecs was the ruler of the current period. It also shows the other four suns of past as completely destroyed which led to these theories. Besides this, the calendar stone contains many signs that led Aztecs towards their myths.

Aztec Warrior

The most famous Aztec tattoo for men is this one as it solely symbolizes power and victory in such a beautiful form of art. These designs show a male face which is fierce and strong sticking out his tongue.

These were just some of the symbols discussed above, each and every design of Aztec tattoos have a meaning which along with the beauty of it are the reasons for its popularity amongst tattoo lovers!

Check Out These Incredible Aztec Tattoos

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The combination of an Aztec warrior, a deity and the symbol-ridden compass is one of the most iconic Aztec tattoo designs. With this particular piece, the location of the compass with the deity detail over the pectoral muscle complements the design allowing use of the body’s natural contour.

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The feathered serpent is a classic as far as Aztec tattoos are concerned. This design represents the iconic deity known for his ability to not only crawl like a snake but also to fly. It symbolizes both freedom and power and is the perfect manly piece for an Aztec inspired tattoo.

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This is yet another classic Aztec tattoo design. It features a deity referred to as Ometecuhtli or the Lord of Two. The intricate details animate the piece giving it a realistic feel. This makes it one of the best Aztec tattoo ideas for men looking for major statement pieces.

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With Aztec tattoos for guys, you either go bug or go home as demonstrated with this chest piece. It features a traditional Aztec maiden with feather headdress which the civilization was known for. It also features a man in a traditional Aztec facemask. This is a great piece if you want to channel Aztec’s glory through the people.

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This Aztec tattoos idea is the perfect combination of accessorization and art. It features an Aztec necklace worn by men in the community as a sign of prosperity. These days, it is just a really badass tattoo for you to enjoy and show off on your shirtless days.

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If you want tattoo ideas that help you channel Aztec’s darker side, then skulls are the way to go. This piece and others like it are inspired by a combination of Aztec cultural practice and the civilization’s archeological legacy.

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This piece features the Lord of Two and the warrior. What makes it interesting is the placement where having the circular piece over the upper bicep bulge helps accentuate the piece’s details. The combination of different iconic Aztec symbols with this piece also makes it one of the best tattoos for men not afraid of a little extra pain.

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Aztec people were hard workers and this piece depicting a laborer at work is the best way to pay tribute. It is one of the best Aztec tattoos for men with the underlying diligence theme being an awesome constant motivator. The laborer in this case is also surrounded by classic Aztec architectural design for improved authenticity.

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This is a great minimalistic representation of the Lord of Two deity. It is one of the best tattoo designs for men who want to get the most out of Aztec culture without going overboard with too much art. That way, the piece stands out and gets to enjoy the spotlight as it deserves to.

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The Aztec warrior is a great historical character and was considered the embodiment of ultimate manliness and bravery. This double piece representing the Aztec hero is a great idea for men who want to channel their inner warrior. For the best effect, it should be placed along long parts of the body including limbs as shown with this piece.

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The Aztec princess is another great character from these times whose tattoo designs never disappoint. Whether it is a fierce vixen in battle or a sultry representation of the maiden such as seen with this piece, you can rest assured that you won’t go wrong with this design.

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This tattoo design for men is designed to look like artwork literally curved into your arm. With the shadows and meticulous details, the piece appears very realistic allowing you to walk around with a piece of history on your bicep.

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This piece screams macho from a mile away with the design and coverage being to thank for this effect. It features a bit of everything from scary Aztec skulls and fortune hands to sun variations and deity representations. It is a busy piece but it gets the job done.

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The devil girl tattoo is a common tattoo these days with the four eyed gothic princess and her forehead cross symbol capturing many guys’ hearts. This Aztec adaptation of the devil girl look combines the badass trend with history for an awesome piece. The traditional headdress and the jewelry help make it a lot more authentic.

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The Aztec eagle is yet another great tattoo design worth trying out. It was used as the symbol for an elite group of warriors in this ancient tribe. As with the feathered serpent piece, this tattoo represents both strength and freedom.

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The feathered serpent and the shield tattoo is another awesome minimalistic piece inspired by Aztec culture. The best part is that with this simple design, you are only limited by your imagination in terms of size and location.

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This Aztec piece represents the Mayan vision serpent. It was one of the most important deities in the civilization. The piece is truly a work of art with every single detail contributing to the overall results. It might take time and a lot of pain endurance but it will be all worth it in the end.

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This is another piece that pays tribute to the Aztec people through body art. It represents Aztec men in their natural state with traditional outfits and jewelry. It is a great tattoo idea for full limb coverage as shown with this particular piece.

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This is a full back piece with a deity and sun combination. With the wide area covered on the back, it is possible to appreciate every single detail individually. It is therefore a great idea for men who want a statement piece.

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The Aztec chief is another favorite as far as Aztec character inspired tattoos are concerned. He is the perfect combination of wisdom, bravery and power and this makes it one of the best tattoos ideas for men.

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The full bodice piece with an Aztec princess, skulls and a temple is another great idea for guys who want a piece that will stand out. Including all of these iconic Aztec symbols allows you to get the most from this theme for a major piece that will not cease to impress.

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This piece features the classic Aztec centered eye. It is simple yet artistic which makes it a perfect tattoo idea for men. Extending the tat by including a deity piece helps a lot making it a great work of art.

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In addition to the badass characters, jewelry and deity, the Aztec were also known for their architectural prowess. Tattoos like these allow you to have a piece of this legacy on your body through art similar to what was found on temple walls.

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This is another awesome manly Aztec piece that literally looks like it was curved right out of real skin. It even has the shadows and crack details to make it look more real. This representation of the feathered serpent is perfect for men who want pieces with a bit more spunk.

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This variation of the Aztec warrior almost has a steampunk feel to it with the extra blade and shield pieces included. The feathers however keep it grounded staying true to the cultural theme. It is a great way to make this common piece a bit more unique.

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This design features a mysterious warrior Aztec girl with tribal face paint. She’s wearing a fierce panther as a cape. The panther’s teeth are exposed and there are feathers sticking out of its head. This tattoo comes in gray wash and is half sleeve.

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This Aztec tattoo concept features a strong female wearing a bird beak with jutting feathers. She is holding a shield with a bird symbol on it and a large falcon sits on her shoulder. This tattoo comes in a gray wash and is half sleeve.

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This tattoo style has a portrait of a woman wearing a day of the dead skull. She is wearing dark lipstick and her wispy hair blows in the wind. She has a grand headdress on which features Aztec inspired patterns.

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This concept is more detailed compared to other Aztec tattoos. It features a warrior male covered in tribal paint crouching down in a lunge position. There is a woman above him, her face covered in tribal paint with a feathery headdress on.

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If you need inspiration on styles of Aztec tattoos for guys, look no further than this design. It features a statue of a male’s face with geometric patterns running down his cheeks. The statue is semi cracked with a plant sprouting out of his head.

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This Aztec tattoo design makes it look like there’s a 3D stone disc cracking out of your skin. On the disc is a statue of an Aztec god sticking his tongue out, and is surrounded by intricate details that look like they are carved in stone.

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If you are looking for tattoo ideas for men, this composition draws the eye to the forearms in a powerful way. The image is completed when you bring both forearms together facing outwards. It features an Aztec inspired face with patterns running across its forehead, wearing multiple rings on its fingers.

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If you’re looking for more straightforward Aztec tattoo ideas, this tattoo features a stone slab cut into a geometric shape. It is detailed with geometric Aztec patterns and features a half open eye in the middle of the geometric shape.

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This full sleeve piece is a great Aztec tattoo for men. It showcases small detail and many patterns. The top of the sleeve has a tribal Aztec geometric pattern, while a woman and man with a headdress run down the bicep and forearm area.

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This tattoo concept has an outline of a chief Aztec warrior wearing a headdress near the top of the forearm. 3D Geometric patterns run down one side of the forearm while a 3D floral pattern runs down the other side.

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This tattoo takes up half of the upper back. It has geometric 3D patterns similar to what you would find at Mayan pyramid sites surrounding a statue of a stern looking Aztec warrior. There are four serpents surrounding the statue of the warrior.

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If you’re looking for different tattoos ideas, this full sleeve pattern includes a day of the dead skull near the bottom of the forearm. Smoke rises from the skull up the arm to the bicep area, where there is another skull wearing a headdress sitting on top of a serpent.

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If you’re looking for meaningful Aztec tattoos ideas, this piece is placed on the forearm and includes an Aztec warrior wearing a feathered headdress and large earrings. He is carrying a dead woman in a flowing dress in his arms.

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For those who are fascinated with Aztec pyramids, this tattoo showcases a 3D Aztec pyramid with grayscale shading. In front of the pyramid sits a 3D smiling skull that’s wearing a headdress. The piece takes up about half of the bicep area.

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For men who are looking for detailed, big tattoos this piece takes up the entire back. This composition features a large Aztec pyramid on the lower back. Two giant, detailed serpents sit right above the pyramid facing each other. On the upper back lies a circle filled in with geometric patterns.

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This shoulder to bicep tattoo showcases a large Aztec god attacking a warrior who is wearing feathered wings and a headdress. The Aztec god is covered in geometric patterns and his eyes are red. The rest of the tattoo is a gray wash.

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For the bone and skull enthusiasts, this tattoo has a large 3D skull pictured coming out of an Aztec pyramid through a stream of smoke. The skull has on triangular earrings dotted with geometric patterns and is wearing a headdresaztec-tattoos-43.jpg

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This tattoo concept extends from the mid forearm area to the front chest, stopping halfway down the pec. This drawing has a serpent covered in scales running up the forearm. The serpent’s head lies on the upper half of the pec, and geometric patterns surround the creature.

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This artwork showcases a 3D Aztec pyramid in the foreground in black and gray. The face of a warrior is drawn behind the pyramid. He is wearing a bird beak headdress with feathers jutting out and dons geometric patterned earrings.

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This tattoo is drawn to makes it look like there’s a 3D stone disc cracking out of your skin. It covers the shoulder and bicep area. There are geometric patterns etched into the outer circle of the stone disk. A man carrying stone is etched into the middle of the disk.

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This 3D cracked skin tattoo is drawn on the shoulder area near the neck. It’s a black and gray tattoo, and geometric patterns are drawn inside the crack. In the very center of the design lies the face of an Aztec god who is sticking his tongue out.

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This piece features a fierce warrior in a jumping position. He holds a knife in one hand and his head is completely covered in a bird headdress. The feathers from the bird headdress extend outwards. His feet are covered in anklets.

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This half sleeve tattoo piece includes the face of an Aztec demon on the upper bicep area. Underneath the demon there is a 3D pinwheel which features a skeleton in the middle. This tattoo is colored black, gray and red.

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A true work of art, this large tattoo takes up the upper bicep and shoulder area. It pictures a realistically drawn Aztec man with piercing brown eyes. Geometric Aztec patterns are coming out of his head and take up the shoulder area.

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This impressive tattoo covers the entire upper back area and is drawn with a 3D cracked skin style. A large Aztec bird with patterned wings stands strong in the middle of this design. This tattoo comes in a gray wash.