Picasso allegedly said that “good artists borrow, great artists steal”. They adapt what they see into a unique vision. Now it’s your chance to create a distinctive look by robbing ancient masterpieces and making them into alluring manicures. Let’s explore how to do neon Aztec pattern nail art for an unforgettable look.

Be Unique with Neon Aztec Pattern Nail Art

A Brief Background of Ancient Aztec Artwork

Aztec art had both spiritual and social significance. Scenes included animals, daily life, and the gods framed with crisp geometric patterns and repetitive shapes. Many surfaces, from everyday pottery to religious buildings, had spirals and zigzags that symbolized elements like water or ideas like change.

While we don’t have as many details about their traditions as we’d like, what remains shows they had an impressive heritage that still influences cultures today. You can see the impact on modern Mexican art, for example.

The original paints and dyes they used came from natural materials like plants, minerals, or seashells. Therefore, it would have been highly unlikely that original Aztec art would have had neon colors. However, just as the Aztecs borrowed ideas from earlier peoples like the Olmecs and Toltecs, we can also take inspiration from the Aztecs and add our own brilliant twist.

Here’s ombre Aztec nail art that glows in the dark!

Happily, we carry glow-in-the-dark polish in vibrant shades! Now you can create your own Aztec neon manicure that shines in the night.

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Aztec Chevron Pattern

This is a simple V-shape that Aztecs used in assorted sizes and styles. It makes for an easy accent nail to add zing to any manicure. The artist added more enhancements like the pendants and gold stripes.

Aztec Stepped Frets

Artisans still use the Aztec step fret pattern for jewelry, ceramics, textures, and sculptures. You might also recall the stepped pyramids in Central American. The design might stand for waves, weather, a feathered serpent, or the cycle of life. It could be a protection against death. No one knows for sure, but it’s a recognizable symbol, especially when connected to a spiral at one end.

Aztec-Inspired Geometric Nails

The artist tagged this with #aztecnails. Can you see the ancient influence?

If you’re interested in boosting your nail art skills, spend some time browsing Pre-Columbian art. Wikipedia has many free images that are perfect inspo for tribal nail art vibes.

As for neon shades of nail polish, you’ve hit the jackpot. The LDS Color Craze Collection has a neon section with the hot hues you need for an eye-catching masterpiece!

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Black and Coral Nails

Here’s a color combo that needs more attention. The vibrant coral tones emphasize the black chevrons and step shapes. If you’re worried about getting the forms perfect, cheat. Use nail tape, a stamp, or a stencil. Invest in better nail art brushes. Don’t hold back from achieving those nail goals!

Aztec-Inspired Manicure

We suspect that this look would have hypnotized ancient artists. It’s vibrant and very structured. It captures the eye and makes us scrutinize the details over and over. And the colors are delicious, just like the Lavis Urban Lightning gels.

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Tricolor Nails with Crystals

Some of these fingertips resemble tribal masks. All the patterns have bold, clear lines and excellent contrast. Then, the sparkly stones embedded in the matte finish dress it up enough for a formal event. It’s a memorable design that must have gotten lots of compliments.

Contemporary Nail Art with Aztec Influences

Yellow and green were popular colors for Aztec art. Although these patterned nails are very modern looking, they owe their existence to Aztec influence. Imagine the ancient artists’ reactions if the modern manicurist had used neon glitter polish! Visit the Lavis Reflective Neon Lights Collection for ideas.

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Original Aztec Art to Inspire Your Next Manicure

If you ever have the chance to visit the Museo Nacional de Antropología in Mexico City, you can see the original calendar stone with intricate carvings of the gods, animals, and more. The image below is an artist’s idea of what the stone looked like originally when it was painted. The colors bring the design to life and make each image clearer. See that fishtail pattern in blocks around the outer edge? That might be fun for nail art.

Next is a model of the Temple of the Feathered Serpent, or Quetzalcoatl, from the ancient city of Teotihuacan, located near present-day Mexico City. The feathered serpent heads seem so alive! Can you see the seashell motifs, too? They also represent the deity Quetzalcoatl, an important god in Aztec culture.

Lastly, here’s a solar eclipse from the Bourbon Codex written by Aztec scribes. It shows some of the popular colors from their civilization, like yellow, red, and blue. When creating the codices, the scribes didn’t bother to wash their brushes between colors. Instead, they rinsed the bristles in their mouths because these were plant dyes! Can’t do that with nail polish!

Almost every color they used was available in various hues (just not neon). They had light and dark yellow, chili red, dark green, and sky blue made from blossoms, bugs, rocks, moss, and sour fruit.

Day of the Dead Nails

Día de los Muertos began in Mexico with roots in Aztec and Indigenous beliefs as well as Catholicism. It’s a time to remember family and friends who have died. Decorated sugar skulls like the ones on these nails are perhaps its most recognizable symbol. Can you see the Aztec influence here?

Conclusion

Are you ready to make your manicure look out of this world with neon Aztec pattern nail art?  It adds color and drama like few other designs can. Soon you’ll have unforgettable nails that others will long to copy!

Stock up on neon colors, radiant shades, and all the tools you need in our store. Catch the sales and get free shipping, too!

Source:

https://www.mexicolore.co.uk/aztecs/

https://aztecsandtenochtitlan.com/aztec-art/

https://www.britannica.com/art/Latin-American-art/Indigenous-art-at-the-time-of-conquest