Chicano Tattoos - Photos of Works By Pro Tattoo Artists at theYou.com

What Does Chicano Tattoo Mean?

The Chicano tattoo movement originated in the 1940s. The term "Chicano" was created to refer to people of Mexican origin living in the United States. At that time, such tattoos meant belonging to a particular gang.

The Chicanos (or Mexican-Americans) were practically outcasts engaged in dirty work. They were the object of persecution on racial grounds. In American society of the 1940s, the Chicanos were in an unenviable position.

First Chicano tattoos were created simply by using a sewing needle and ink. So the style acquired its distinctive features, such as black and grey color palette, fine lines.

Chicano tattoos were common for Mexican-Americans – the gangs’ members. The most frequent drawings are Jesus, Saint Mary, angels, letterings.

Around the 1970s, the Chicano style began to spread everywhere. The themes of drawings are mostly card games, various weapons, and dice. But still, the tattoos were closely associated with criminals.

Chicano tattoos are highly recognizable and have prominent characteristics. First of all, the black and grey color palette. Secondly, the tattoos are detailed, usually representing three-dimensional images. That's why the Chicano style slightly resembles realism.

Nowadays, Chicano tattoos are popular with numerous people, not only with gangsters. Portraits of Mexican-American women are frequently inked into the skin as they have become a hallmark of the Chicano style. Sometimes the images are decorated with national patterns, skulls, etc.

Chicano Tattoo Ideas

There is a whole bunch of Chicano tattoo themes, for example, religion, weapons, money, girls, etc. The most common ideas are:

Masks

Masks are super common in the Chicano tattooing style. There is a great variety of forms, such as theatrical masks, clown masks, skull masks, V for Vendetta mask, etc. As the Chicano movement was created by gangsters, the mask symbolizes secrecy and mystery.

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Skull

The skull is often associated with death but actually, it can carry other meanings. The skull tattoo reminds us how short life is. In addition, Latin quote "Memento mori" tattooed under the skull will look impressive.

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Rose

Rose tattoo carries a wide range of meanings, but most people associate it with love. It makes a difference whether the rose has thorns or not. A rose with thorns is the embodiment of harmony, where fragile beauty combines with internal force. A black rose can symbolize tender sadness, hopes for unfulfilled dreams.

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Angel

Angel tattoos are frequent in the Chicano style. They can denote various things, for instance, one's spirituality, hope, and love. Angel tattoo can also be a symbol of repentance or redemption.

Cross

While the Chicano tattoo style may have originated in the United States penal system, the Mexican Catholic tradition means that religious iconography remains common in Chicano tattoos. But then why is there so much religious imagery in this style? The fact is that even getting on a criminal path, often because of poverty and hopelessness, people were pious and therefore made tattoos with crosses and saints.

There is a Christian expression that "everyone has their own cross to bear." The cross tattoo depicts the patience and strength of a person who courageously copes with life difficulties.

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Lion

A lion is the embodiment of strength, courage, power, and justice. The King of the jungle often appears at coats of arms. The lion tattoo is a perfect choice for those who want to emphasize their strong character and willpower.

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Money

Money tattoos are kind of provocative as they may be associated with gangster stuff. It's quite obvious that this kind of image testifies to one's desire for wealth, but in many ways, the meaning of the tattoo depends on the drawing itself. One of the most common sketches is a burning dollar bill which symbolizes indifference towards material things.

Tattoo Ideas For Men

The Chicano style is more a "guy thing" as it gained its fame thanks to gangsters. In this style, manly themes abound, such as weapons, dice, roulette, skulls, eagles, lions. Chicano tattoos emphasize excitement, the desire for danger, masculinity, and easy life. In addition, it's super common for guys to get a tattoo with a portrait of a girl.

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Tattoo Ideas For Women

Chicano tattoos today can often be seen on a woman's body. They help to show one's beliefs and strong personality. The most common sketches for girls are a rose and Santa Muerte ("Saint Death"). Santa Muerte appears in different forms but is always female, her skull and skeletal body cloaked in the flowing robes of other female saints.