Happy Cinco de Mayo! The annual celebration commemorating the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over French colonizers in 1862 has become quite important in Vancouver BC as our Mexican population grows with each passing year. In fact, our very own downtown Vancouver tattoo shop is blessed to have super-talented Mexicanos and Mexicanas in our tight-knit familia of tattooists.
This special day marks the perfect time to respond to all of the people out there who are online and searching for “Mexican tattoo ideas”. In your initial search, you’ll uncover the usual suspects of concepts. However, it’s not all colorful Sugar Skulls and piñatas. You want something less obvious that isn’t a pop-culture appropriation. To help with this worthy mission we’re diving into the Sleight of Hand Instagram at @soh_vancouver to feature a few works of body art that have been completed in the comforts of our studio. Perhaps they will inspire your own up and coming tattoo?
OTHER CONCEPTS THAT HONOR A PROUD AND VIBRANT MEXICAN CULTURE TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR NEXT TATTOO
The Culture of Tequila
To many, the word “tequila” may incite memories of hangovers while whispering the 1958 ode (by The Champs) in their ears, but it’s so much more than that. Tequila is important in Mexican culture and each annum the tequila industry contributes over 1.3 billion US dollars in foreign revenues to the country. We love this one; it’s small but it says so much:
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Beautiful Beast of the Yucatan Peninsula
We encourage you to dig deep and explore the jungles of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. This region is home to the native Jaguar Panthera Onca. This powerful beast is beautiful, and when tattooed under the expert hand of an SOH artist you’ll enjoy a statement-making work of body art:
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Want something even bigger? Work the jaguar into an Aztec-esque skull like this:
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The Misunderstood Scorpion
Did you know that Mexico boasts the highest diversity of scorpions in the world? Moreover, its population of scorpions includes some of the world’s most medically important species for treating arrhythmogenic (heart) and autoimmune diseases. The scorpion may strike fear upon appearance, but it’s misunderstood, and may instead be considered a symbol of strength and protection. As a tattoo, it looks awesome:
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El Charro
El Charro is a Mexican horseman (or cowboy) adorned in an elaborately decorated outfit of close-fitting pants, jacket (or serape) and crowned by a sombrero. He serves as an example chivalry, tradition and pride and will serve your desire for a meaningful tattoo to honor the culture:
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Crossover Cultures Over Thousands of Years
Before Mexico was “Mexico” the land was ruled by the Aztecs, and the Mayans thousands of years before that. Bring together the mysterious civilizations of these periods and merge them with the longstanding Mexican culture that remains today. This mind-blowing piece accomplishes exactly that:
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GET YOUR MEXICAN THEMED TATTOO AT SOH IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER:
CALL: 604.336.9177
EMAIL: hello@sohtattoo.com
Written By:
Sleight of Hand
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