Smile now cry later tattoo meaning gang free#

Lettering is often bold to create impact or a fine elegant script to add softness. Clowns, masks or comedy masks can be used with or without the lettering “Smile now, cry later” incorporated into the design. “ Laugh now, cry later”, “ Play now, pay later”, “ Smile now, cry later” and “ My happy life, my sad life” are all variations of the same concept. This tattoo which consists of two faces, one laughing and one crying are popular among gang affiliated chicanos, which represent strength and toughness. Often adopted for the meaning of hiding your weakness or tears in prison until you’re out. Chicano tattoo legend Freddy Negrete designed the now famous Chicano tattoo design smile now cry later tattoo when he saw an ad for a acting class with the comedy and tragedy masks, he added his own touch to the design with the words smile now, cry later, the phrase comes from the song titled “smile now cry later” by the classic Chicano band “Sunny & the Sunglows”. Vladimir Drozdov Drozdov Tattoo Kiev, Ukraine Facebook Instagram

Sir Focus Street City Tattoos Ontario, Canada Facebook Instagram Portraits and realism chicano tattoos include family, lost loved ones, girls, cars, low riders, clowns, guns, masks, celebrities and iconic figures from the Mexican revolution. This tattoo is both religious and represents gang affiliation, often done by the stick and poke technique. The three dots mean mi vida loca (my crazy life) and the cross is a symbol of god. The Pachuco cross is a tattoo with three dots above a cross. Religious chicano tattoos feature Jesus, virgin Mary, crosses, praying hands and the Pachuco cross. The streets of LA further developed chicano designs from the many different chicano mantras such as “Smile now, cry later”. The first chicano prison tattoos were made used using make shift tattoo machines and ink as tattooing was forbidden in prison.

The art of chicano tattoos was refined and developed further on the streets of LA during the 70’s and 80’s. But it was not until the 60’s until the chicano style first established itself as a definitive tattoo style with the cholos. The black and gray ink color was heavily used in chicano tattoos as this was the most accessible ink color in prison. Script and portraits were also a predominate tattoo for chicanos. Mostly consisting of the Pachuco cross tattoo between the thumb and index finger. Chicano tattoos are no different and the first chicano tattoos first showed up in the Pachuco gang in the 40’s. Sub cultures use symbols and tattoos to organize themselves into groups. When done right, nothing blows more people away like the Chicano black and grey styled tattoo sleeves. As a very influential tattoo style, chicano tattoos have helped develop and inspire many different tattooing styles from portraits and realism to black and grey tattoos.

Chicano tattoos were made famous in LA by Chicano street culture but most Chicano designs were created in prison. Chicano tattoos regularly incorporate realistic portraits, religious, cultural, gang symbols and lettering. Characteristics of the chicano tattoos are black and grey color, fine lines, detailed and soft shading. They can represent many different elements from family, neighborhood, culture, emotions and memories.

Smile now cry later tattoo meaning gang free#

Chicano Tattoos and 3 Free Chicano Tattoo DesignsĬhicano tattoos with their iconic fine line black and grey, realistic look and rich history in the imagery are among the best tattoos out there.