Prison Tattoos and their Meanings Prison tattooing refers to the process where incarcerated inmates “get inked” behind bars. Typically, most prisoners undergo tattooing to affirm and covey gang membership, display their extents in enduring pain, and indicate their ranks in particular gangs.
What do different prison tattoos mean?
Spider-webs. Seen commonly on the elbows, the spiderweb represents time in the prison, caught behind bars. It can also mean being caught up in the gang lifestyle. As a Russian tattoo, the spiderweb along with a spider in it is seen on the heads of the prisoners, and signifies drug addictions and repeat offenders.
Do certain tattoos mean prison?
This tattoo signifies a lengthy term in prison. 15- Three Dots This tattoo illustrates “gang life style” and its secret meaning is “my crazy life”. 16- Cross on the Chest In Russia, this is the highest rank which a convict can avail. It symbolizes “Prince Of Thieves”. 17- EWMN This tattoo is used to show the relegation of some prisoners.
What are some famous prison tattoos?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why has the Auschwitz complex become a symbol of the Holocaust?
- Besides the SS, what organizations or professions were involved in the design, construction, and operation of the camp?
- Were the German and Polish populations aware of Auschwitz, its purposes, and the conditions within? How would you begin to research this question?
Is it easy to get tattoos in prison?
That’s right, even in prison they get tattoos. The open sign is always on and the ink is always flowing. Sure it might not have the same germ free and sterilized environment as a regular parlor, but it does the trick for most. Throughout the years, the popularity of prison ink has grown.
What do prison tattoos represent?
Many prisoners do so in order to affirm and convey gang membership, indicate their rank in that gang, or to display their ability to endure pain, while others choose designs that symbolize their time inside or use the tattoo as a sign or code to display their crimes on their skin for all to see.09-Apr-2020
What does a 13 tattoo mean in prison?
The MS 13, also sometimes seen just as MS or 13, is a symbol of the Mara Salvatrucha gang from El Salvador. Typically these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body, but are most often found in highly visible places like the face, hands or neck.04-Sept-2014
Can you get tattoos in prison UK?
Anything to do with prison tattoos is strictly against the rules in British jails. When prisoners arrive in reception, they are routinely strip-searched and any tattoos found on their bodies are documented in their prison record.06-May-2017
What do tear drop tattoos mean UK?
In some places a teardrop means murder, while in others it can represent a long prison stretch or even that your friend was murdered and you intend to seek revenge. If you ever spot someone with just a the outline of a teardrop - that means they have committed attempted murder.04-Aug-2017
What does a 333 tattoo mean?
The most likely meaning behind Brann's “333” wrist tattoo: The number 333 is a Thelemic symbol used to represent Choronzon. Wikipedia explains: Choronzon is a demon or devil that originated in writing with the 16th century occultists Edward Kelley and John Dee within the latter's occult system of Enochian magic.02-Nov-2011
What does a spider web tattoo on the elbow mean?
They were inked on the elbows to symbolize their loyalty to their group. Spider web tattoos gained popularity in prison systems all across the United States during the late 1900s. Even in modern times, the tattoo is still a popular prison tattoo.05-Jan-2022
What does a black dot tattoo mean?
The Black Dot Campaign, set up by a survivor of domestic abuse, is a signal that the person wearing a black dot is a domestic abuse victim, and cannot otherwise ask for help.14-Sept-2015
What does the tattoo 23 mean?
18 – This tattoo represents the initials of Adolf Hitler, using the first (“A”) and eighth (“H”) letters of the alphabet. • 23 - Represents the 23rd letter of the alphabet, “W”. Used by white supremacists and skinheads.
What do 3 dots in a row mean tattoo?
Three Dots Tattoo Ellipsis are used grammatically to indicate that the sentence is not fully complete. Many have used this simplistic design to indicate a concept of continuance, an unfinished journey, or a slow change of idea or thought.24-Nov-2021
What does a teardrop tattoo mean in prison?
A teardrop tattoo is a small tattoo in the shape of a teardrop near one or both eyes. It is closely associated with gang and prison culture, where it often indicates one has served time, one has been humiliated, or one has killed. Others may get such a tattoo to represent sorrow or loss.20-Aug-2018
What does a one dot tattoo mean?
One dot tattoo has the same meaning on how you use the dot (period ) in a sentence. It means the end of something like how you end a sentence. In the tattoo, it may be the end of a relationship or something it is something that ended in your personal life experience.
What does a 99 tattoo mean?
What does a 99 tattoo mean? People who have a 1999 birth year tattoo design believe that they are here on the earth for a special purpose. To get a 1999 birth year tattoo design means that they have a purpose to solve in life and it comes as a mission that you must serve with utmost care and affection.
How do prisoners give themselves tattoos?
Inmates create an improvised tattooing machine by using the motor of an electric toothbrush and the coiled spring from inside a pen.28-Aug-2017
What do tattoo dots on fingers mean?
Finger Dot Tattoo A single dot often represents a 'full stop' – the end of one phase and the start of another. A row of three dots is another popular version of this tattoo. Once often worn by gang members, today, it is associated with living life on your terms.
What does a 7 and 2 tattoo mean?
Report This. The tattoo on Hutch's wrist, a Seven of Spades and a Two of Diamonds, is statistically the worst possible starting hand you can be dealt in Texas Hold 'Em, since they are the lowest two cards that cannot make a straight (there are four cards between 2 and 7), and both of them are off-suit.
What does a 13 tattoo on the neck mean?
What does a 13 tattoo symbolize? The unlucky number is treated as an antidote to conventional bad luck and identifier to other tattoo enthusiasts. The number 13 is associated with superstitious sailors, prison gangs and outlaws, and old school concepts of alienation and being an outsider.
What do the dots on the inside of a prisoner's hand represent?
Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. This tattoo can be found internationally, among both American and European inmates. The dots are typically found on an inmate’s hand, between the thumb and forefinger.
What are the tattoos of the Brotherhood?
This prison gang has a variety of tattoos to look out for, ranging from ‘AB’ to Nazi symbols like a swastika or SS bolts. The Brotherhood makes up 1 percent of the inmate population, but are responsible for 20 percent of murders inside of U.S. prisons, so identifying these tattoos are extremely beneficial.
What does a teardrop tattoo mean?
One of the most widely recognized prison tattoos, the teardrop’s meaning varies geographically. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. If the teardrop is just an outline, it can symbolize an attempted murder.
What is the tattoo on the knuckles?
His sociopathic preacher character had the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ tattooed on the knuckles of each hand, which has brought about other variants such as ‘Rock/Roll’ and ‘Stay/Down.’.
What does it mean when someone gets a teardrop tattoo?
It can also mean that one of the inmate’s friends was murdered and that they are seeking revenge. The teardrop has been popularized recently by rappers and other celebrities, but still remains a staple in prisons. Those who are newbies behind bars with a teardrop tattoo will make a lot of enemies, fast.
What does a playing card mean in prison?
Playing cards, or suits of the deck in general, usually indicate an inmate who likes to gamble. This applies to gambling games both within prison and without; it can also represent a person who generally views life as a gamble. This tattoo is very popular in Russian prisons, where each deck has its own meaning.
What does a cross on the chest mean?
Cross on the chest (Photo Adimaz) Particularly found in Russian prisons, chest tattoos symbolize a ‘Prince of Thieves. ’. This is the highest rank a Russian convict can achieve, and are generally worn by higher-ups in the mob.
How do inmates get tattoos in prison?
The prison tattoo method has changed over the years, but it always involves the tools that inmates have access to. Back in the 1990s, one inmate — who worked as a shoe shiner for the officers — said he would make ink out of the heels of the warden’s boots. But this incredibly risky method led to inmates constantly getting infections.
What are the meanings of prison tattoos?
There are different reasons that people get tatted up in prison. Some people are just into tattoos as a form of body art and expression, and they would get inked up no matter if they were behind bars or not.
Teardrops are very common
A teardrop underneath the eye is a common prison tattoo that usually means a person has killed another. Whether or not that teardrop is filled is often based on how much time the inmate did because of the crime. When it’s not filled in, that can be a sign of an attempted murder.
Other common prison tats and their meanings
Another common prison tattoo is a clock with no hands. Sometimes, it means that the person is doing life without parole, and will never get out. Other times, it’s just a symbol of a lengthy sentence and how time has no meaning to a prison inmate.
Why do prisoners get tattoos?
Many prisoners do so in order to affirm and convey gang membership, indicate their rank in that gang, or to display their ability to endure pain, while others choose designs that symbolize their time inside or use the tattoo as a sign or code to display their crimes on their skin for all to see.
What does it mean to get a tattoo on your face?
Getting inked on the face or hands is a serious step, as getting one there marks you for all the world to see. There are few people willing to go through life with a "brand" on their faces, especially one that marks them as a criminal. In prisons and jailhouses, the face and hand tattoos are the most telling of all.
What is the Hells Angels tattoo number?
Jon on September 24, 2012: One gang tattoo that has yet to be mentioned is 666, one of the two support numbers used by the Hells Angels motorcycle club along with the number 81 , particularly is those tattoos are in red ink. Lela (author) from Somewhere near the heart of Texas on September 23, 2012:
Why do women put teardrops on their faces?
Sometimes women will put a teardrop on their face if their man has died or gone to prison. Teardrops on the left side of the face can mean something different from teardrops on the right. Only the wearer knows for sure what it means. Teardrops can be filled in, half-filled in, or empty.
Why do tattoos look rough?
Lack of equipment and sterile conditions can lead to health risks like infection or diseases (including hepatitis, HIV, tetanus, and many others). This is why most prison tattoos look rougher than professional ones and represent an additional level of danger and risk.
What does a tattoo on your elbow mean?
Other Common Prison Tattoos. Spiderwebs, often seen on the elbow, usually represent a long time in prison — so long the wearer is covered in cobwebs. This design represents how the wearer is stuck behind bars like a fly in a spiderweb.
What do the three dots on a gang's face mean?
The three dots are also closely associated with the Sureños. You frequently see them on gang members' faces. They sometimes signify a high rank in the gang. Usually, only people who have actually gone to prison will have the three dots on their face.
Teardrop
A teardrop is probably the most well-known tattoo of all the prison tattoos. Although there are many stories behind the tattoo, they symbolize murder or crime and prison. Teardrops can be empty, half-filled, or filled.
Spiderwebs
Spiderwebs usually represent an idea of being trapped or the passage of time. The tattoo symbolizes a length of stay in prison, trapped behind bars or spider traps to catch prey.
A Clock Without Hands
A clock with no hands stands as one of the prison tattoos that represent serving for a very long time. The tattoo shows how time loses meaning or stands still while behind bars.
Five-Point Crown
The western hemisphere is undoubtedly the king of the five-point crown. The crown is the official symbol of the Latin King gang, the most prominent Hispanic gang in Chicago. In addition, the crown is accompanied by three letters, ALKN. ALKN stands for Almighty Latin Kings Nation.
Knife Through The Neck
A knife through the neck tattoo can be quite scary. The tattoo is, to a large extent, associated with Russian prisons. The tattoo shows the wearer is with no doubt ready and willing to take a life.
ACAB
Prisoners with ACAB symbols are enemies of the police. The tattoo is worn by people who have clashed with the police and would do so again if given a chance.
Three Dots
The three dots tattoo is widespread in prisons associated with no gang and has several meanings. It is said to represent “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life.” It also carries religious importance and may mean Christianity’s holy trinity.
What does a teardrop tattoo mean?
Perhaps the most well-known tattoo associated with crime and prison, the teardrop can either be unfilled or opaque. There are many stories about why a prisoner would have this tattoo, but the most common is that an unfilled teardrop might symbolize the death of a loved one, while an opaque one might show that the death has been avenged. "Sometimes," the FBI notes, "only the wearer will know the exact meaning of the tattoo.” Teardrops might also represent mourning in general. For instance, Amy Winehouse’s were said to be for her jailed ex-husband.
What does the AB tattoo stand for?
If the AB tattoo bearer tells you the letters stand for “Alice Baker, ” you’ll want to stay clear: That's just a nickname for the Aryan Brotherhood. The white supremacist organization’s other nicknames include Alice, One-Two, Tip and Brand, and the Brand.
What does a quincunx tattoo mean?
Of course, a quincunx tattoo isn't always a sign of a stay in prison ; Thomas Edison had one on his forearm.
What does ACAB stand for in tattoos?
The ACAB tattoo might be represented by four dots on the knuckles or the letters themselves on the knuckles or elsewhere. The acronym stands for All Coppers Are Bastards, or perhaps, depending on the situation, Always Carry a Bible.
What does the three dots mean?
Cultural anthropologist Margo DeMello says that the three dots might come from a French criminal tattoo, of which the trio of spots stood for mort aux vaches, or “death to the cows”—cows meaning the police. 9. FIVE DOTS. Five dots have a different meaning.
Is tattooing in jail illegal?
Jailhouse tattoos, also known as black-and-grays, are dangerous in more than one way: The process is illegal, so inmates end up creating their own equipment and ink, and studies have shown a connection between tattoos and high rates of hepatitis C among prisoners.
What is a prison tattoo?
As the name suggests, prison tattoos are adorned by prison inmates. These tattoos can be worn as indication of multiple stories, like the time spent in prison, the extent of criminal activity, gang-based affiliations, personal attributes, or disrespect for authority.
What is an American prison tattoo?
These tattoos are a reflection of the prisoner’s individual story and life history. American prison tattoosalso include the extensive body of art that has been developed by Native American gangs.
What does it mean to have a tattoo on your face in prison?
Like the name suggests, prison face tattoo sare done on the face. They generally denote how hardcore a criminal is. The greater the amount of tattoos on their face, the more the number of crimes that they have committed. Nonetheless, some inmates use prison face tattoosto showcase their identity or simply make a point.
What does a teardrop tattoo mean?
In some prisons, a teardrop tattoo can simply imply that a person has lost a loved one, while in other prisons, it can be interpreted as a symbol of long-standing revenge. Additionally, a teardrop tattoo can also depict a murder conviction, a lengthy sentence, or a personal loss. 3. Prison Gun Tattoos.
What does a playing card tattoo mean?
For most inmates, a playing card tattoo symbolizes how their lives have been turned into a gamble and each passing day is dealing them a bad hand.
What does MOB stand for in tattoos?
The gang tattoosthat their members adorn, generally consist of the alphabets MOB (Members Of Blood), the cipher 13/13, or the letters OYBBQ (which stands for ‘blood’). These tattoos can be worn on any part of the body, but they are usually done on the forearm. 5. Russian Prison Tattoos. digglertattoo / Instagram.
What is a black gang tattoo?
Black gang tattoos are normally worn by members of the African-American community. These tattoos act as a symbol of unity and integration.Black gang tattoos also provide people of color with sufficient motivation to fight for their cause.
History of Prison Tattoos
During the early 1890s, the tattoo machine began to gain popularity in the industry and consequently prison tattooing. Incarcerated inmates began to mock the machine’s early representations using sewing needles attached to a handle to apply the ink.
Why Tattoos Have Popularized Over the Years
It is important to note that prison tattoos are illegal in most prisons in the United States. As already alluded, these practices present a risk of spreading diseases, and as such, prisoners have invented methods of hiding the activity.
Prison Tattoos and What They Mean
Most people who get tattoos usually do so because they have a deepener meaning behind the marks. However, prisoners with these tattoos take these hidden symbols and secret meanings to different levels. Typically, there exists a tattoo for every occasion in prison, for every culture, and all kinds of criminals.
Teardrop Tattoo
A teardrop tattoo is one of the most recognizable tattoos of all. Primarily, a teardrop means that the inmate has murdered someone. However, sometimes the teardrop’s outline can indicate an attempted murder rather than the real deal. In all ways, murder is always involved in some form or shape of the tattoo.
Cross on the Chest
A cross tattoo on the inmate’s chest usually does not carry any particular meaning. However, this is not the case in Russia, its origin. In the United States, people quickly jump to religious devotion, predominantly Christianity.
Clock without Hands
Typically, many prison tattoos have a link to serving a long time in prison. The clock with no hands tattoo is one of those common ones in this category. Other inmates have it tattooed on their wrist to symbolize a watch they will never remove. This idea elevates its meaning.
Three Dots
A prisoner with the three dots tattoo is typically involved in a gang, although it does not determine which one. The three dots symbolize “mi vidaloca,” meaning my crazy life and is primarily associated with the gangster lifestyle. Again, however, it does not indicate a particular gang. Inmates most place it on their hands or around their hands.
What is a prison tattoo?
Prison tattoos are a form of communication and means of self-expression for inmates. These Prison tattoos tell a lot about the bearer, including their association of various gangs, status in prison, relationship with family, life events, personal beliefs and values. Instead of looking beautiful prison tattoos contain intricate ...
What does a tattoo on a prison card mean?
Playing cards or suits of the deck in general usually indicates that an inmate who likes to gamble both inside and outside of the prison. It can also represent a person who generally views life as a gamble.
What does it mean when a prisoner has a tattoo on his forehead?
If a prisoner has the barbed wire tattoo across their forehead, it usually means that he has a life sentence without the possibility of parole. But barbed wire tattoos done in other countries can signify the number of years that the inmate has served in prison.
What does a tattoo with no hands mean?
This tattoo has an obvious meaning. The clock symbolizes prison and the lack of the hands on the clock means that the prisoner has an extraordinarily long sentence. The clock face comes in various forms like wrist watch, grandfather clock or pocket watch e.g.
What does a cross tattoo on the chest mean?
Prison Tattoos # Cross on the Chest. Cross tattoo on the chest symbolize ‘Prince of thieves’ , mostly found in Russian prison system and usually means that the person bearing the tattoo is a higher-ranking member of a mafia.
What does a 5 dot tattoo mean?
Five dots tattoo is totally different from three dots tattoo. Five dots on a hand represent time done in prison. The four dots on the outside represent the walls of the prison cells and the dot in the middle represents the inmate who is bearing the tattoo.
What is the Latin king's crown?
The Five-point crown is a symbol of the Latin Kings, the largest and the most organized Hispanic street gangs in the United States. The Syndicates originated in the Puerto Rican community in Chicago in 1940s. The Latin kings are spread across 158 cities in 31 states and the current estimation of members is between 20,000 to 35,000. The five points in the crown are representative of the Latin Kings affiliation with people’s nation gang which is the alliance of gangs in Chicago. Sometimes the crown has the letters ALKN with it, which stands for Almighty Latin Kings Nation.