A gang sign or symbol is a method used by gang members to make themselves known to rivals or allies. Traditionally speaking, these signs have manifested themselves in the form of gang-related tattoos, attire, graffiti, and even hand signs.
Full Answer
What are some Gang Signs and what do they mean?
Hand Signs — Hand signs are used by gangs to identify their gang and as a form of communication. They may also be “ fl ashed” as a warning or threat to rival gangs. They are often “thrown” quickly, making interpretation diffi cult for the non-expert. Blood Killer West Coast 15
What are the different gang signs?
Signs of gang activity in your neighborhood: Clustering of groups of youth in public places (corner stores, etc.) wearing or displaying a particular color. Increased reports of fights and arguments on school property. Increased sightings of graffiti. Violent incidents reported in your neighborhood.
What are some gang signs?
“I think we’re in some real trouble.” New gangs. Same problems. Newly-minted hybrid groups ... a gang in part as “three or more people who come together under a sign or symbol, and one of their main purpose is to commit crime for … the benefit ...
What are the signs of a gang member?
Gang Awareness Guide Gang members communicate in many dif-ferent ways. Speech is the most obvious; however, gang members also make use of nonverbal methods of exchanging thoughts. Graffiti, hand signs, colors, and tattoos are indicators of gang affiliation. Gang members have their own language, which contains phrases, hand signs, tattoos,
What are gang members signs?
Following are some commonly found signs of gang membership and affiliation:Moniker. Gang members commonly, but not always, have a nickname or moniker. ... Gang Attire. Many gang members wear distinct clothing styles. ... Hand Signs. ... Graffiti. ... Jewelry. ... Weapons. ... Tattoos. ... Body Modifications.More items...
What does the M gang sign mean?
"M": Mafia Crip.
What are some Crip gang signs?
Each gang has a sign or symbol that is formed with hands and fingers....Gang Hand Signs and Symbols.Small "b" Small "b"CK "Crip Killer" Hand Sign CK "Crip Killer" Hand SignLP Hand Sign LP Hand Sign13 Hand sign 13 Hand sign3 more rows
What is gang code?
The gang code, ethic, and morals are based in respect and reputation for the gang and for its individual members. Members are thus motivated to protect and enhance individual and gang respect and reputation. Any disrespect or challenge to the gang or one of its members requires a response or a punishment.
What does holding 4 fingers sideways mean?
The sign can translate to "maximum effort" on the football field. Players will hold up four fingers to intone that the final, most crucial 15 minutes of the game are about to be played. The signal is a reminder to everyone to stay frosty and put forth the best game that they can.
What gang is 4s?
Obi-Wan Takes the High Ground! - The LoopFour Corner HustlersRivalsFolk Nation, Crips, MLDS, Gangster DisciplesFactionsBARNONE 4CH, HADAIRE 4CH, 360 OUTSIDERS, BODY SNATCHERS, MACATIVE 4CH, MANIAC 4CH, ANGELO 4CH, SNIPER 4CH, L.T. 4s, SPANISH 4s12 more rows
What Emojis do Crips use?
The Crips opt for the two thumbs-up emoji, with the knuckles facing each other, because they resemble the letter “H.” Their longstanding rivals, the Bloods, signal their affiliation with an image of a magician's top hat.
What gang is BK?
Blood KillaNHC stands for Neighborhood Crip, which is an alliance that the Rollin 60s fall under. The BK stands for Blood Killa, the PK stands for People Killa (the Bloods fall under People Nation, which is the rival of the Folk Nation, which is where the Crips fall). The HK stands for Hoover Killa.
What day is Blood gang day?
22 Based on these numbers, October 31 has been designated as the “birthday” of the East Coast Bloods and the UBN. 23 Additionally, rumors circulate every year around this date of attacks by Bloods members against law enforcement.
What is your set Blood?
Membership. Bloods are a loosely structured association of smaller street gangs, known as "sets", that have a common gang culture. Each set has its own leader and generally operates independently from the others.
What is G code in slang?
to keep your mouth shut and mind your own business.
What are the Bloods 31 rules?
There are 31 UBN rules known as "The 31." Examples of the rules are: Individual gang members are to operate and conduct themselves as defined by "The 31"; Procedures for infractions or disciplinary actions; "Snitching," or cooperating with law enforcement, is strictly prohibited.
What is a gang sign?
A gang sign or symbol is a method used by gang members to make themselves known to rivals or allies. Traditionally speaking, these signs have manifested themselves in the form of gang-related tattoos, attire, graffiti, and even hand signs. Although most signs are relatively standard amongst some of the larger groups, ...
What are the signs used by gangs?
Other signs and symbols used by gang members are special handshakes, which is also a component of a hand sign. These are just a few of the signs used by gang members all over the world, but these are the most common ones.
What do tattoos represent?
Since the very beginning, tattoos have been associated with gangs of all kinds, whether violent or non-violent. This is because tattoos connote the toughness that is desired by all gang members, and some tattoos are associated with permanence. Most designs are usually symbolic in nature and are often found in all members of the clan, with just a few variations depending on the area. Some tattoos represent specific deeds carried out by members, murder being a common example. The symbols used in tattoos are sometimes very involved, and could also refer to a certain meaning or mythology that the gang has invented for itself. For instance, the Star of David symbol represents the Folk Nation gang that was once led by a man known as King David. What’s more, each point of this star was used to represent the value of the nation. The Tidewater and North Carolina Hoodies represent themselves with an hourglass image. The Elizabeth City Mafia use the hourglass figure with three strips on top.
What are signs and symbols used for?
Signs symbols have always been used to identify a certain gang or to disrespect or intimidate rival gangs. These signs and symbols come in many forms and have been adopted by different gangs or created by other gangs. Ever heard of the pyramid, or the five- or six-pointed star?
Why do gangs spray graffiti?
However, while gangs may create or use graffiti, it is not an indicator or result of any significant gang activity. More often than not, gangs tend to spray graffiti to mark their territories or to send out threats to rival gangs. When warring with another gang, they sometimes visit certain locations where the rival gang has already made its mark on and cross out the names of enemies or just cover these names with the help of graffiti.
Why do people use hand signs?
It is used in most situations where other signals or identifiers may not be appropriate or possible. Sometimes, it is used to show that a gang member wants to do business. Hand signs are generally made by the formation of fingers on one or both the hands so as to make a symbol.
How do gangs differentiate themselves from each other?
Each gang member will abide by certain laws and customs. Gangs can be differentiated from one another by their attire, colors, graffiti, tattoos, and hand signs.
What does a tattoo mean in a gang?
Some gang tattoos are meant as tokens of recognition for the individual’s rank and experience, the specific skills they have, or the crimes they’ve committed in the course of their activity within the group.
What does the tattoo on a crip stand for?
One form involves replacing individual letters in a word with the letter’s number in the alphabet – 1 for A, 2 for B, 3 for C, etc. For instance, the numbers 211 tattooed on a Crip member stand for ‘BK’, which in turn means ‘Blood Killer’ – indicating the individual has killed a member of the rival gang, the Bloods.
What does MOB stand for in Blood?
Besides the use of code, Blood members will often have the letters MOB tattooed – standing for ‘Member of Blood’ . The word ‘Piru’ is also common. The original Blood gang was called the Compton Pirus (named after West Piru street in Los Angeles), so this is a throwback to the gang’s origins.
What do the three dots on a tattoo stand for?
Three dots – arranged in a triangle, they stand for ‘prison, hospital, cemetery ’ – the typical path of a gang member. In some circles, this would be the first tattoo received by an individual before becoming a full member of the gang. This design is associated primarily with the Mexican Mafia.
What do the scarab beetles represent?
Scarab beetle – also a symbol of good luck for thieves, usually symbolizing a pickpocket . Star – generally, each point of the star represents a year in prison. Elite members of organized crime in Russia, known as Vor V Zakone (‘thief by law’), use a star with 4 large arms, 4 medium ones, and 8 small ones.
What are the tattoos on Russian prisoners?
Russian prison tattoos. Of the markings given to Russian criminals in prisons, the known symbols include: Cat – common for thieves. A single cat means that the thief acted alone, while several cats together indicate theft as part of a criminal group.
What does the skull on the forehead mean?
Military insignia – often signify that the prisoner was a high-ranking criminal prior to being incarcerated. Skull – usually means that the prisoner is a murderer. Barbed wire – when placed on the forehead, it means the prisoner is serving a sentence of life imprisonment without possibility of parole.
Graffiti
Criminal organizations often use graffiti as a gang sign in urban environments. That isn’t to say that all graffiti is produced by gangs or related to their activities. It is estimated that less than 10% of graffiti in the US has ties to criminal organizations. (source)
Attire and Tattoos
Gang signs are a component of a broader gang psychology where a heightened sense of pride in the group is paramount. As noticeable in various forms of gang-centric hip hop and its relatable aesthetic, one of the ways gangs flaunt their membership and status is through attire. (source)
Visual and Audible Gang Signs
Visual and audible gang signs are a bit more obscure than the other general types. As is common with gang signs in general, there are wide degrees of variation between different gang cultures and regions. These types are more primitive in nature and are very hard to document due to abstraction.
What does it mean when a gang tag is in a new area?
New locations. A tag in a new area may reveal that the gang’s turf has increased. Conversely, a tag in what you considered to be a rival gang’s turf that isn’t crossed out may indicate a shift in the balance of power between two gangs with one gang losing turf.
Why do rival gangs use their moniker?
In certain instances, a rival gang member will use his moniker as part of the cross-out process , providing even more intelligence.
Why do gangs use graffiti?
Gangs use graffiti to mark their territory, mourn fallen members and challenge rival gangs. Apr 25, 2019. Gang graffiti is one of the most misunderstood elements in gang investigations. It can literally mean nothing in certain instances, while in other circumstances it conveys important messages between gang members – both friend and foe.
What is a cross out in a gang?
A cross out – crossing out, covering up or writing over a gang’s tag – is a flagrant act of disrespect and can often be an indicator of future violence between gangs.
What is a RIP tag?
“RIP” tags memorialize dead gang members. These can be good for gathering police intelligence regarding gang monikers. If you see an unfamiliar moniker pop up after a gang homicide, you can probably connect that victim with that tag. Occasionally gang members will list many of the monikers in conjunction with a RIP tag, sort of like a sympathy card.
What is the Bloods gang?
The Bloods is comprised of smaller gang chapters called “ sets ” with independent leadership. Former ethnic and racial divisions no longer hold, and the Bloods may be Hispanic, black, white, or any combination. In South Carolina, the Gangster Killer Bloods are a violent set of the larger group.
Why did the Blood Gang start?
The Blood gang is an African-American gang founded by Sylvester Scott in Compton, California in 1972 in response to attacks from Latin-based gang members of the Crips. Members of black gangs called one another “Blood” to show solidarity. As the Crips’ attacks became more violent and numerous, the Bloods became an umbrella organization ...
What do the Crips wear?
In a National Geographic documentary about gang warfare in south-central Los Angeles, the Crips are shown wearing blue bandanas and Bloods wearing red.
How many members are there in the Gangster Killer Bloods?
8,000 - 15,000 Members. In South Carolina, the Gangster Killer Bloods are a violent set of the larger group. Sets may greet one another with “ signs ” that involve intricate combinations of fingers crooked at precarious angles.
Why did the Bloods become an umbrella organization?
As the Crips’ attacks became more violent and numerous , the Bloods became an umbrella organization for various gangs to unite in their opposition to the Crips. The Bloods started as a street gang but migrated to prison as members were charged with crimes.
What does the Peace sign mean at Woodstock?
And we're thankful for that, because that means we know at least some of what our kids are doing with their hands! The same peace sign the hippies used at Woodstock is popular with kids today, and yep, it still means "peace" — and it's still a frequent fixture of teen selfies. 2/17. Jeanne Sager.
What does it mean when you put your fingers together?
It means that they're shy — too shy to say what they're thinking, or that they're busy working up the nerve to share whatever's on their mind. Fortunately , that means the sign is pretty innocent!
Why do teens turn their middle finger sideways?
Yes, the middle finger turned sideways means the same exact thing as the traditional finger in the air. Sometimes teens do this because it's less obtrusive -- essentially they're hoping not to get caught flipping someone the bird.
Is the sign "this" meaningless?
The sign itself is pretty meaningless, and kids just call it "this.". The game is to try to get people to look at "this," at which point you make fun of them. Yes, it's as silly as it sounds — as if teenagers need to have a reason to make fun of someone (and as their parents, we're usually their target). 13/17.
Is the sign "this" silly?
The sign itself is pretty meaningless; kids just call it "this." The game is to try to get people to look at "this," at which point you make fun of them. Yes, it's as silly as it sounds.
Is the peace sign sideways?
This sign doesn't mean anything scandalous — it's just a peace sign on its side. Yes, it's sideways, but if you thought that changes the meaning of the gesture, it's actually not that complicated at all. The sideways peace sign actually means the same thing as the traditional peace sign. 12/17. Jeanne Sager.