Tattoos held great significance for Mayans. Tattooing took more sessions and waaaay more intense aftercare. We can say exactly what this looked like but we imagine it like modern tattooing but with bigger, deeper pokings, a lot of pain, and a much higher risk of infection. Tattoo artisans would paint their subject with color, then pierce the skin with reeds so the color would seep into the pierced area. The process of Mayan tattooing was just a little more metal than modern-day tattooing. The process was deadly back then due to a virtual absence of sterilization and aftercare, but if they survived, it was thought to bring the person closer to higher powers. Men and women alike were encouraged to get tattooed. Besides marking criminals, tattoos were used positively to increase strength, intensify worship, and gain respect. What we know about ancient Maya is through the narrow lens of conquistadors. Spaniards only ever saw tattooing as a link to the devil or darkness. We can take some liberal interpretations from Mayan art, writing, and architecture to paint a fuller picture but generally, the historical accounts of colonizers are a little - * ahem* - biased. Unfortunately, most of the historical accounts of Mayans and their tattoo customs come from Spanish colonists. Mayans, more than other Mesoamerican cultures, were fans of tattoos. It is possible that in one Mayan civilization, a tattoo meant something different than in another. Note: Keep in mind the vast array and volume of Mayan people there were throughout history when we are talking about their tattoo culture. There are still strong pockets of Mayan culture throughout southern Mexico and South America. It’s estimated their peak population count was around 2 million people. They’re the people behind those badass stone buildings and temples.īefore the Spaniards did their whole colonization thing the Mayans were the largest civilization of people in the Western Hemisphere. There are over 30 Mayan languages and over 40 cities with populations between 5,000 and 50,000. Mesoamerican Indians spanned southern Mexico, Guatemala, and northern Belize. When we’re talking about Mayans, we are thinking about the years 250 CE to 900 CE. “Maya” represents a huge scope of people. Here’s everything you need to know about the history of mayan tattoos! Who Are the Mayans? It isn’t uncommon to see homage paid to Mayan culture in modern-day tattoo shops, and if you take a trip to the lands the Mayans occupied, it wouldn’t be uncommon to meet Mayan tattoo artists who are revered in their communities for carrying on eras of tradition. Mayans of course aren’t the only civilization who practiced tattooing, but they are one of the oldest and largest ones. Mayan people deformed babies’ skulls at birth to elongate their heads, they filed their teeth, were more pierced than punks, and of course, got majorly inked. The Kardashians ain’t got nothing on the Mayans. ![]() If you think the Kardashians invented body modding, think again.
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