Chicano Mexican Tattoos

If you are an American who has deep roots in Mexico then you can get a tattoo to express it. Tattoos are a form of body art that does not require complex chit-chat to explain what you are all about. So, getting a tattoo can express your connection to Mexico without spelling a word. And a Chicano Mexican tattoo can be perfect for that.

Chicano Mexican tattoos have been around for years. They have many designs which makes them an interesting choice and they are easy to personalize. This means you can always add some personal element to your Chicano Mexican tattoo and make it even more personalized and unique. Want to know more about Chicano Mexican? If so then this article is for you. I have elaborated on everything you need to know regarding the Chicano Mexican tattoo in this piece.

Key Takeaways

• Chicano Mexican tattoo came from the Chicano Movement as an artistic form of expression.
• A Chicano Mexican tattoo can include skulls or sugar skulls, weapons, money, flowers, religious figures, etc.
• Chicano Mexican tattoos can mean Mexican roots, equality, family, memories, and culture.
• Reasons to get a Chicano Mexican tattoo are cultural pride, family and ancestry, personal storytelling, cultural heroes, and religious faith.
• A few Chicano Mexican tattoo design ideas are La Chica’ Chicano Mexican tattoos, Mother Mary, Jesus Chicano Mexican tattoo, Cross and Hand Chicano Mexican tattoo, Angel and Demon Chicano Mexican tattoo, and Neo-classical Chicano Mexican tattoos.

Chicano Mexican Tattoos: History & Origin

Before the 2n World War, Americans who had Mexican origin faced any sort of negativity from the locals. They faced discrimination and racism on a daily basis. Later in 1942-43, the economic situation of the Mexican Americans got better, and to prevent racism and negative behavior they started to use the term “Chicano” for themselves which was actually a slag used for them. They started to wear hats and chains to show their economic growth. Artistic way to support this Chicano way or recognition was murals of political figures on the wall, specially written songs that are called “oldies music, and Chicano Mexican tattoos. You could say the birth of the Chicano Mexican tattoo was a movement taken during the “Chicano Movement”.

A few common elements of Chicano-Mexican tattoos are:

Chicano Mexican Tattoo Meaning

Chicano Mexican tattoos are not your regular tattoo designs. These tattoos were part of the “Chicano Movement” when Mexican Americans were trying to gain equal rights. This tattoo can have an array of meanings. Such as:

Mexican roots

It can mean you or your family has roots in Mexico. No matter where you go you should remember your roots or where you came from. This Chicano Mexican tattoo can express your Mexican heritage.

Equality

Mexican Americans once faced discrimination in America, Unfortunately, that is the truth. To gain equal rights they started getting this tattoo inked into their skin. So, wearing this tattoo can mean you believe in equal right for Mexican Americans and you are willing to take a stand for it.

Family

Getting this tattoo can mean you have family members, friends, or your lover back in Mexico. As a reminder of those loved ones or family, you can get yourself a Chicano Mexican tattoo.

Memories

Memories are what shapes a man. And this tattoo can help you retain all the memories of the time you have spent in Mexico. Or it can be a way to remember how Chicanos fought in a peaceful way to gain the rights that you are reaping right now.

Culture

Our culture is a part of our life. How we think, we function everything is affected by our culture. A Chicano Mexican tattoo can express the Mexican culture that you value so much.

5 Reasons to Get Chicano Mexican Tattoo

There can be plenty of reasons to get a Chicano Mexican tattoo. I have mentioned a few below:

1. Cultural pride

Do you take pride in your Mexican culture? Then go ahead and get yourself a Chicano Mexican tattoo. It can be a great way to get your culture inked on your skin. And it is not offensive to anyone at all.

2. Family and ancestry

If your ancestors are from Mexico or you have family members living in Mexico then getting this tattoo inked can be a fine idea. It will express your ancestry heritage and your familial bond with Mexico.

3. Personal storytelling

Tattoos are meant to tell a tale. If you want to tell everyone your personal story and it connects to Mexico or the Chicano movement then this tattoo can do just that. These tattoos are known for adding personal elements to them and making them unique. So, your Chicano Mexican tattoo can be your personal storyteller.

4. Cultural heroes

Many Mexican Americans respect the leaders who contributed to the rights of Chicanos. Because of those leaders, the Chicano Movement was successful and as a result, they started to live with equal rights. If you respect those heroes who protected your culture and helped to gain equal rights then getting a Chicano Mexican tattoo can be a great idea. You can add the portrait of Emiliano Zapata, Cesar Chavez, etc. on your Chicano Mexican tattoo to tribute and respect to your cultural heroes.

5. Religious faith

Adding the imagery of the cross, bible, Jesus, and other religious symbols to your Chicano Mexican tattoo can help portray your religious faith along with your cultural heritage. Expressing religious faith through tattoos is not new, but it can be slightly controversial. Because many believe that religious faith or element should not be tattooed on one’s skin. So, it depends on what your opinion on the matter is, If you are okay with it then go ahead and get yourself a Chicano Mexican tattoo with religious symbols in it.

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14 Chicano Mexican Tattoo Design Ideas & Their Meanings

In this portion, I have listed a few Chicano-Mexican tattoo design ideas. You can take ideas or inspiration from these designs and create your own unique Chicano-Mexican tattoo.

1. ‘La Chica’ Chicano Mexican tattoos

La Chica means Chicano girl. In the beginning, when tattoos first got popular in America pinup girl tattoos were one of the most popular types of tattoos. In Chicano Mexican tattoos, you can get a pinup girl or a Chicano girl tattooed on your skin. Using black and white ink to great a realistic Chicano girl tattoo can be pretty dope. It can mean you appreciate Chicano beauty and have deeper feelings for a certain Chicano girl.

2. Mother Mary, Jesus Chicano Mexican tattoo

Adding imagery of Mother Mary and Jesus can be a fantastic way to get your Chicano Mexican tattoo. It can express your religious faith and belief along with your Mexican heritage. You include other religious figures into the mix as well.

3. Cross and hand Chicano Mexican tattoo

A Christian cross and a pair of hand-paying can be a nice mix for your Chicano Mexican tattoo. You can add other religious symbols to it as well. It can mean you are devoted to your religion and along with your Chicano culture.

4. Angel and demon Chicano Mexican tattoo

Get an angel and a demon inked onto your skin as a part of your Chicano Mexican tattoo. It can portray that Chicanos can be good as angels and can be bad as demons if necessary. It can work as an edgy tattoo to keep away any trouble. People will be careful when dealing with you because of this tattoo.

5. Women shooting with a gun Chicano Mexican tattoo

Including imagery of women in Chicano Mexican tattoos is not new. In fact, almost half of these tattoos have women in them. To make things a bit interesting you can add an image of a woman who is shooting with a gun. It can mean you love your Chicano beauty and accept the fight-back mentality of Chicanos along with it.

6. Neo-classical Chicano Mexican tattoos

Grey can be an awesome color to get yourself some neo-classical Chicano tattoos. It can mean you have a thing for history and tradition in general.

7. Scorpion and snake Chicano Mexican tattoos

You can add elements such as scorpion and snake into your Chicano Mexican tattoo. It can give your tattoo an edgy and dark vibe. It can mean you are not someone to mess with. You are a proud Chicano and you will protect yourself and your loved ones from any harm.

8. Full-back Chicano Mexican tattoos

If you have a bold personality then why not get a bigger tattoo? Getting a full-back Chicano Mexican tattoo can be a very bold choice. Back usually stays concealed by clothes but when you go to a bathhouse or to the beach to do your thing, you will show off that bold back tattoo to everyone around you. Not to mention when you wear a tank top some part of your back tattoo can be seen too. Back tattoos are not so common. So, getting a Chicano Mexican back tattoo can mean you hold the value of your culture close to your heart and you are not shy to express that.

9. Laughing and crying joker Chicano Mexican tattoo

What about a double-faced tattoo or a tattoo that portrays a dual personality? If you have a complex personality then you can go for a laughing and crying joker Chicano Mexican tattoo. It can show your complex personality or your belief that happiness and sadness are both part of your life.

10. Angel Chicano Mexican tattoos

Angel Chicano Mexican tattoo designs can be as wild as your imagination can be. Angel holding a gun, angel crying, angel laughing you can make the angel to pretty much anything you want in your Chicano Mexican tattoo. It can portray your unique personality and history.

11. Skull and flower Chicano Mexican tattoos

Skull is one of the most popular Chicano Mexican tattoo elements. You can add some flowers to the skull to convey a deeper meaning. It can mean life and death, the cycle of life will continue and so will your culture.

12. Full upper-body Chicano tattoos

Getting a full upper-body Chicano tattoo can be really wild. You can include pretty much any personal element you want. It may include religious symbols, historical leader portraits, skulls, flowers, etc.

13. Chicano sleeve tattoos

Covering your whole arm or sleeve with a Chicano-style tattoo can be cool. You can use a joker or a Chicano girl’s portrait on your arm and rock it with confidence.

14. Sugar skull Chicano Mexican tattoo

Sugar skull tattoos are awesome. Many Chicano Mexican tattoo includes sugar skull. It can portray your colorful nature along with seriousness and a Chicano vibe.

FAQs

Can anybody get Chicano-Mexican tattoos?

Well, mostly Mexican American who has roots or loved ones in Mexico gets this tattoo. But as long as you are getting a culture-appropriate tattoo, it is fine even if you are not Mexican American.

How much does it cost to get a Chicano Mexican tattoo?

Chicano Mexican tattoos in general uses bigger and more complicated tattoo design that uses plenty of shading to provide that depth, which is why it can cost a little bit more compared to your regular tattoo. On average, a medium-sized Chicano Mexican tattoo can cost around 500$.

How much time it takes to get a Chicano Mexican tattoo?

The time depends on the tattoo size, design, and amount of shading. In general, a Chicano tattoo may take around 6 hours. But a bigger and more complicated Chicano Mexican tattoo may take multiple sessions.

What are some common elements of Chicano-Mexican tattoos?

Usually, there are multiple elements present in a Chicano Mexican tattoo. A few common or popular elements are:

• Flowers
• Skull
• Women
• Angel
• Money
• Gun

Is this tattoo for prisoners?

No, anybody who respects the culture can wear it. Some prisoners may get the Chicano Mexican tattoo illegally, but that does not make it a prisoner-only tattoo.

Final Thoughts

Chicano Mexican tattoo can be a great way to show your connection to your Mexican roots. If any family or loved one is in Mexico then this tattoo can be a reminder of that. It can also portray freedom and the history of the “Chicano Movement”. And a plus side of getting this sort of tattoo is, they are highly customizable. This means you can customize these tattoos to your heart’s content and make them the most personalized tattoo ever!

If you are not Mexican-American, you can still get the tattoo. Just be sure not to offend the culture. And Chicano Mexican tattoos are no longer a gang symbol. Now a day anybody who values Chicano culture can wear the tattoo with pride.

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