Ace of Spades Tattoos

The ornate design of the Ace of Spades, common in packs today, stems from the 18th century, when certain duties on playing cards were exacted by the monarchy. Stamp duty, an idea imported to England by William III, was extended to playing cards in 1711; this taxation lasted until 1960.

Over the years a number of methods were used to show that duty had been paid. From 1712 onwards, one of the cards in the pack, usually the Ace of Spades, was marked with a hand stamp. In 1765 hand stamping was replaced by the printing of official Ace of Spades by the Stamp Office, incorporating the royal coat of arms. In 1828 the Duty Ace of Spades (known as 'Old Frizzle') was printed to indicate a reduced duty of a shilling had been paid.

The system was changed again in 1862 when official threepenny duty wrappers were introduced and although the makers were free to use whatever design they wanted, most chose to keep the ornate Ace of Spades that is popular today. The Ace of Spades is thus used to show the card manufacturer's information.
source : wikipedia.org

Aztec Myths

The Aztec civilization recognized a polytheistic mythology, which contained the many gods (over 100) and supernatural creatures from their religious beliefs.

Aztec culture is generally grouped with the cultural complex known as the Nahua because of the common language they shared. According to legend, the various groups who were to become the Aztecs arrived from the north into the Anahuac valley around Lake Texcoco. The location of this valley and lake of destination is clear – it is the heart of modern Mexico City – but little can be known with certainty about the origin of the Aztec.

There are different accounts of their origin. In the myth the ancestors of the Mexica/Aztec came from a place in the north called Aztlán, the last of seven nahuatlacas (Nahuatl-speaking tribes, from tlaca, "man") to make the journey southward, hence their name "Azteca". Other accounts cite their origin in Chicomostoc, "the place of the seven caves", or at Tamoanchan (the legendary origin of all civilizations).

The Mexica/Aztec were said to be guided by their god Huitzilopochtli, meaning "Left-handed Hummingbird" or "Hummingbird from the South". When they arrived at an island in the lake, they saw an eagle which was perched on a nopal cactus full of its fruits (nochtli). (Due to a mistranslation of an account by Tesozomoc, it became popular to say the eagle was devouring a snake, but in the original Aztec accounts, the snake is not mentioned. One states that it was eating a bird, another indicates that it was only perched in the cactus, and a third just says it was eating something.) This vision fulfilled a prophecy telling them that they should found their new home on that spot. The Aztecs built their city of Tenochtitlan on that site, building a great artificial island, which today is in the center of Mexico City. This legendary vision is pictured on the Coat of Arms of Mexico. Read More...

Swallow Bird Tattoos

Swallow tattoo that has the symbol used to be a sign of status among the sailors. Meaning behind it is a swallow, should, to protect sailors from the dangers on their journey. However, the same version of this story is that, if the sailors had died at sea, which swallowed will protect their souls and bring them to heaven. According to legend, after sailing for at least five thousand miles, a sailor could get a tattoo put on his chest symbol swallow, to mark the occasion. This gave him a sense of honor and achievement. A longer version of the legend is that, when he traveled more than ten thousand miles, he was entitled to a second swallow tattoo on the other side of his chest. Getting a tattoo of two sailors give a sense of pride and achievement. It also serves as a kind of pictorial resume. Since travel by ship is very dangerous during that time. Thus, it is a sign of an experienced sailor reliable in a crisis. Sailor with two swallows tattooed symbols on their chests, not one, specifically sought. That means that they have weather many storms and survived the many challenges. Therefore, each captain looking for new crew members are always happy to see a sailor with two swallows tattooed on his chest. Swallow noble bird, with a rich history. This is a symbol of honor, faith, love and hope. For the sailors in the past, it represents all of the luck for loyalty. This serves as a reminder of family, friendship and honor. So, when you consider whether or not to get ink, remember what that symbolizes. Swallow tattoo is a sign of eternal life, love and hope. This represents the courage and eternal happiness. Are you a sailor at heart, or just someone who likes to feel the wind beneath your wings, a swallow tattoo is probably the right choice for you !