According to the Crime Library, it is more uncommon for an inmate to not have a tattoo than to see them with these gang tattoos. The famous tear drop tattoo: The most widely accepted meaning of the teardrop is the wearer has killed someone - this is reported to have originated among the Chicano gangs of California. A clear teardrop, like the one pictured, can mean that the wearer has committed an attempted murder, or alternatively, that a close friend was killed and the wearer is seeking revenge.Īll of these tattoos have a unique meaning and purpose. You will usually see this one on an inmate who has a long prison sentence, or possibly life in prison.Ģ2. A Watch With No Hands: This means ‘doing time’. The term new age implies that these symbols are more recent. The trouble with this is that many people who wear the ankh do not understand its deep spiritual power. In the new age context, we often see ankh symbols next to yin/yang, pentagram, triple moon, and eye of Horus imagery. The three dots tattoo, worn either on the hand or near the eye, represents the phrase “Mi Vida Loca,” or “My Crazy Life.”Ģ1. It is a popular symbol in jewelry designs, clothing, and tattoos. Take a look at some of the best (or worst) tattoos from the last year and let us know what you really think of this controversial ink in the comments section on Facebook. The four outer dots symbolize prison walls, while the inner dot is the inmate.Ģ0. The huge white spaces, distorted lines, and black eye hollows really add to the evil look of this skull tattoo.

The five dots tattoo is representative of time spent in prison. The ALKN on this tattoo stands for Almighty Latin King Nation.ġ9. The five point crown is a symbol of the Latin Kings gang which originated in the 1940s in Chicago. The MS 13 on this man’s back stands for Mara Salvatrucha, a large Latino gang.ġ8.

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