They first gained visibility in the late 19th century (1890s), when sailors returned from overseas with inked souvenirs from Polynesia and Asia.
One morning when Jo Emma and I went on our regular walking around the walking track that is right across the street from our house, we started comparing notes when we first heard the term, “tatuaje,” which is the Spanish translation of tattoo. For me, it was many years ago, when Jo Emma’s uncle and his wife who lived in Monterrey, Mexico, came to San Antonio to visit Jo Emma’s mother who was in the hospital. Jo Emma’s mother and the wife of her uncle were sisters. He asked me if I could give him a ride to a shoe department store which I did and it was during this trip that he asked me in Spanish if I approved of the “tatuajes,” that many young people were now sporting. My response to him was that I am totally against people wearing “tatuajes,” maybe because when I was growing up in my beloved Barrio El Azteca, only very few of the lower class wore such tattoos on their arms. During the 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s, tattoos were not in fashion, on the contrary, the few people who wore them were seen as outcasts of society.
Tattoos in the United States have a long and layered history. They first gained visibility in the late 19th century (1890s), when sailors returned from overseas with inked souvenirs from Polynesia and Asia. These tattoos often symbolized bravery, travel, or superstition. By the early 20th century, tattoo parlors began popping up in port cities like New York and San Francisco. However, tattoos remained largely associated with military men, circus performers, and criminals—far from mainstream acceptance.
During World War II, tattoos became a symbol of patriotism and camaraderie among soldiers. Names of loved ones, military insignias, and flags were common designs. But after the war, tattoos slipped back into the shadows, often linked to rebellion and counterculture. In the mid to late 1960s and 1970s, bikers, rock musicians, and anti-establishment groups embraced tattoos as a form of defiance. The art was raw, the ink often homemade, and the stigma persisted.
However, the 1980s and 1990s marked a turning point. Tattooing began to evolve into a respected art form. Artists like Ed Hardy and Leo Zulueta brought sophistication and cultural depth to the craft. Tattoo studios became cleaner, safer, and more professional. Television shows like Miami Ink and Ink Master further normalized tattoos, showcasing the creativity and personal stories behind each design. The word tatuajes began to carry less judgment and more curiosity.
En México, los tatuajes han recorrido un largo camino desde ser considerados símbolos de rebeldía o delincuencia hasta convertirse en expresiones legítimas de arte y cultura. Durante décadas, los tatuajes eran vistos con desconfianza, especialmente en comunidades conservadoras donde se asociaban con pandillas o estilos de vida marginales. Sin embargo, en los últimos años, esta percepción ha cambiado drásticamente. Hoy en día, los tatuajadores mexicanos son reconocidos internacionalmente por su talento, y muchos incorporan elementos del arte prehispánico, el folclore y la iconografía religiosa en sus diseños, creando una fusión única entre tradición e innovación.
As society grew more accepting of self-expression, tattoos shed their outlaw image.
As society grew more accepting of self-expression, tattoos shed their outlaw image. Celebrities, athletes, and even politicians began sporting visible ink. Workplaces relaxed their dress codes, and tattoos became a conversation starter rather than a cause for concern. In Latino communities, the term tatuajes evolved too—no longer a mark of shame, but a symbol of pride, heritage, and individuality.
Los tatuajes en México también han tomado un papel importante en la afirmación de la identidad personal y colectiva. Jóvenes y adultos por igual se tatúan símbolos que representan sus raíces, como calaveras del Día de los Muertos, vírgenes, frases en náhuatl o imágenes de luchadores. En ciudades como la Ciudad de México, Guadalajara y Monterrey, los estudios de tatuajes florecen y atraen a una clientela diversa que busca plasmar en su piel historias, creencias y emociones. Lo que antes era motivo de juicio, ahora es motivo de orgullo. Los tatuajes se han convertido en una forma poderosa de narrar quiénes somos y de dónde venimos.
Jo Emma and I enjoy watching the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), and the Bare Knuckle Boxing (BKB) on the ESPN channel, and tattoos have become almost synonym with the athletes themselves—etched not just on their skin but into the culture of the sport. And almost every athlete has one. The ones who do not have a tattoo or tattoos are very rare.
These inked designs often serve as personal emblems of resilience, heritage, or pivotal life experiences, transforming the body into a canvas of identity and motivation. From tribal patterns to quotes, tattoos can project intimidation, honor fallen loved ones, or mark career milestones. The prevalence is so widespread that fighters without tattoos stand out as exceptions, not the norm. In a sport where physicality meets personal narrative, tattoos are more than decoration—they are declarations.
Today, it seems almost everyone has a tattoo—or is planning one. From minimalist wrist designs to full-sleeve masterpieces, tattoos have become a universal language of identity. What was once taboo is now trendy. Whether it’s a tribute to a loved one, a cultural symbol, or a spontaneous decision, tatuajes are here to stay. And maybe, just maybe, it is time we stop asking whether we approve of them—and start asking what story they tell. Moreover, tattoos and tatuajes have transcended their once-taboo status to become a widely embraced form of self-expression. They are more common than ever before, adorning the skin of people from all walks of life—not just artists, but firefighters, police officers, teachers, nurses, the common folks, and professionals and non-professionals across countless fields. Whether chosen for personal meaning, aesthetic appeal, cultural pride, or simply the love of artistic work, tattoos now speak volumes about identity and experience. In fact, those without ink seem to be the exception rather than the rule. The body has become a canvas, and the stories it tells—etched in ink—are as diverse and vibrant as the people who wear them.
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Copyright 2025 by Gilberto Quezada. Photo of sailors isin the public domain.