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vinylspin — My Quetzal
Published: 2006-06-25 05:33:29 +0000 UTC; Views: 79373; Favourites: 499; Downloads: 31272
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Yay!! I finally got my tattoo and this is what I drew up and decided on... I'm psyched. (Also, if you're ever going to get a tattoo... please don't just pick one off the wall of the tattoo parlor... because that's lame.)My tattoo is a Quetzal bird. "Quetzal" is taken from the Aztec word "quetzalli," meaning "precious" or "beautiful." (The tailes of the male birds can measure some 24 inches [60 cm] in length.) Unfortunately, its beauty has posed a threat to the quetzal's survival. In fact, the quetzal is listed as an endangered species. The Quetzal can not be bred or held for any long time in captivity, and indeed it is noted for usually killing itself soon after being captured or caged. For this reason it is a traditional symbol of liberty. It is also the national bird of Guatemala which was the first foreign country that I visited.
Edit: YES! First pic taken with my new camera... hooray. Kodak Z650
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Comments: 75
Sacred to the Mayas and Aztecs, Quetzal means “precious” in Nahuatl. Furthermore, Quetzalcoatl(Mayan and Aztec God), their “Feathered Serpent” was transfigured from Resplendent Quetzal. Indio Maya
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Woot! That's a real nice tattoo - it's really really great!
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Hello - I was wondering if you allow others to use this design? I've seen a few requests by others, but no recent responses. I'd like to drop it in Illustrator and use a black and white outline for a project I'm working on...
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that's awesome and beautiful
i was thinking of designing my own quetzal tattoo because i was born in guatemala and i wanted something from my culture 
[i'm slightly too lazy to read through every single comment...]
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Can I use this as an example for a tattoo I'm getting on my wrist?
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By the way, is it okay if I use this design when I get my tattoo done? It's the best one I've found.
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I am SO jealous of your tattoo! I'm from Guatemala so I really love that you got this done.
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Hey...Found someone on FB with this exact tattoo on their foot...wanted to double check they haven't stolen it! Sorry to be the bringer of bad news!
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[link] !/photo.php?fbid=482817707266&set=o.28896995501
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is it all right if I use the picture for a new pokémon species?
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The colours are so vibrant. It looks amazing! Great style.
Where did you get it on your body? If I may be so bold as to ask.
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actually its from mayan culture and its the national bird of guatemala, also the currency there. awesome tattoo!!!!
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looks awesome >^_^< i saw a drawing of this design on another deviant's page as well... [link] ...i think it's a very pretty design
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SO BEAUTIFUL!
Yes. It's just sad that these beautiful birds are at the borderline of extinction. In my country, Guatemala, it's against the law to capture and cage a Quetzal.
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I love this design!! My parents are both from Guatemala && I've been looking all over for a beautiful design of the Quetzal and yours is just awesome! Is it ok if I use this design for my tattoo?
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This image has been featured in my "Alphabet feature - Letter"Q" - Quetzal" feature and can be found here: [link]
Hope you like it
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I never knew this was a tattoo; now that I've got a closer look, it looks really cool o.o
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Woooo I love It *o* is so colorful...
About his captivity:
Currently in Mexico have been able to raise and maintain in captivity successfully.
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Absolutely beautiful! I have been living in Guatemala for the past year and have to say that the Quetzal is one of my favourite national 'things'
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I absolutely love this :] It's beautiful. I've been pondering on what to get as a tattoo and I came across this. Most of my family lives in Guatemala. This bird symbolizes so many things for us. Would you mind if I used this?
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Great Tatoo! The Quetzal is a symbol of freedom
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Congratulations! undoubtedly this is the best TATTOO I've seen in my life, you chose the best bird for the best design ... and as we say here in Guatemala, QUE CHILERO VOS!!!
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This is beautiful! It's so whimsical and perfect for a tattoo... Lucky you!
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I really really love this design. I was looking at phoenix designs but nothing really popped at me. If I decide to go with something like this, could I use the same design?
I also found the identical design here on DA, and noted you said you did it yourself, so somebody else copied it. [link] They look nearly identical.
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hi,
so i've been searching for the perfect quetzal bird tattoo. my mother is guatemalan and my father is afro-peruvian. hence, making me full latina. i have dark skin and am usually mistaken for being african american, dominicana, cuban, or puerto rican. throughout my life i've had some difficulties being accepted by my own race. many guatemalans don't see me as guatemalan because my skin is dark, and to the majority (caucasians) i'm african american. don't get me wrong i am a very open and liberal person who believes in nothing but the good in people. but i am also very proud of my culture and to be a young latina woman who may have been born in the US but who can read, write, and speak her language fluently and is knowledgable about where her parents and family come from. thus, i figured it doesn't matter how others see me, i myself know who i am and i wanted an imprint of that. i came across this tattoo and it is perfect. i wanted to personally ask you if i could use this design? it'd be on the side of my wrist with the tale extending to about the base of thumb and cantuta flowers spilling from the beak of the bird. (cantutas are the national flower of peru) i just feel it would be respectful to ask you since it is your own design. let me know what you think.
glad
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Go right ahead... just send me a picture 
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Ohh and i'm pretty sure people used it for their own tattoo 'cause it's very nice. XD
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Heyy
You have a lot of talent for drawing and i felt in love with your tattoo. the colors are so nice. the meaning is strong, but the the design of it is graceful. the world of tattoo is addictive (lol). i have one and i can tell you that i'd like to have another one
Have a nice day
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I was googling for images of quetzals because I had the same idea! I really want a quetzal tattoo. Not only because they are beautiful but I also visited Guatemala. I have a quetzal keychain.
I have to ask you, could I use this image as possible inspiration for a tattoo of my own? I just love it and I'm no artist so there's no way I'd be able to come up with something as beautiful.
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it reminds me of my little bird tatoo. well done! i enjoyed the ecology and history as well.
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i love this so much
are the colours really that bright?
its so gorgeous
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This is exceptionally beautiful!!! Love the shape, and colour AND idea, the symbolism that is
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Just thought you might want to know someone copied your bird: [link] [link]
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2nd link --> it more looks like a dove than a quetzal
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beautiful tattoo. i love it. i'm from guatemala and i've been trying to come up with my own design for a quetzal tattoo. Yours is amazing though, congrats!
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I absolutely love this! ive been looking for inspiration for a direction to go with a tattoo of my own and this is just the inspiration I was looking for. great color and everything. I love it.
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very nice tattoo as well.can we have the image in your profile pic.cos i want a tattoo like that (:
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your tattoo came out marvelous! The design came out awesome and the colors are so bright! I love the meaning... and story about the Quetzal bird!
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