Alongside the words “smile now, cry later,” the smiling and weeping pair of theater masks are common design examples of the quintessentially Chicano tattoo.  

When Freddy Negrete first inked a “smile now, cry later” tattoo dedicated to the hard faces Mexican Americans had to wear in difficult circumstances, it is doubtful he knew how profound the impact would be.

Smile now cry later represents the need to hide weakness from enemies on the street and informs many of the designs utilized in Chicano tattooing.

For others collectors (I have the theater masks tattooed on my right shoulder blade in black and gray), tragedy/comedy is a reminder that life is full of ups and downs, and keeping an outwardly even keel is a good way of dealing with different emotions.

The following collection of smile now, cry later designs showcase the best in chicano tattooing and symbolic body art dedicated to these theater masks.

1. Chicano Smile Now, Cry Late Tattoo Ideas

Source: @ct_ta2(2) via Instagram

Source: @ct_ta2 via Instagram

Source: @dandiazcreates via Instagram

Source: @jays.tatt2s via Instagram

Source: @kenohtatts via Instagram

Source: @mr.conejo__13 via Instagram

Source: @tatsbyfifty via Instagram

2. Clown Smile Now, Cry Later Tattoo Designs

Source: @_fixie__t via Instagram

Source: @amaral.tattoo via Instagram

Source: @inkbyclos(2) via Instagram

Source: @inkbyclos via Instagram

Source: @magic_mtattoos via Instagram

Source: @mauro_panti_tattoo via Instagram

Source: @neker_mx via Instagram

Source: @the_first_noelle_ink via Instagram

Source: @osotattoos via Instagram

3. Feminine Smile Now Cry Later Tattoo Ideas

Source: @8a_carolinaaa via Instagram

Source: @big_boyz_ink via Instagram

Source: @isaias_gomustattoos via Instagram

Source: @lexi_tatts_ via Instagram

Source: @rickyreyes_tattoos via Instagram