What does a tattooed teardrop mean

Tattoos have a long and fascinating history on their own, representing a complex world that may be hidden to some. Many designs not only communicate a distinct identity but also declare remarkable beliefs.

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. While the practice is almost certainly older, written evidence for teardrop tattoo comes in the s, noted in a New Yorker article about a Mexican gang member who spent time in prison. The symbolism of the teardrop tattoo widely varies, however.

What does a tattooed teardrop mean

Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates. Here are 15 tattoos and their secret meanings. Know a different meaning for the tattoos displayed here? Share it in the comments. Be sure to check out more of our coverage on prison tattoos, including 15 more prison tattoos and their meanings , 12 Russian prison tattoos and their meanings , and a collection of inmate takes on prison ink. The numbers 14 or 88 on their own can also be used, which sometimes creates confusion. Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body. Cobwebs typically represent a lengthy term in prison. The symbolism is associated with spiders trapping prey; or criminals trapped behind bars. This tattoo is commonly found on the elbow, signifying sitting around so long with your elbows on the table that a spider made a web on your elbow, though it can also be located on the neck. Teardrop Photo trendfashion 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.

Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates. Various services provide removal of the teardrop tattooamong others, for former gang members and inmates.

The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo of a tear that is placed underneath the eye. The teardrop is one of the most widely recognised prison tattoos [1] and has various meanings. It can signify that the wearer has spent time in prison, [2] [3] or more specifically that the wearer was raped while incarcerated and tattooed by the rapist as a "property" mark and for humiliation, since facial tattoos cannot be concealed. The tattoo is sometimes worn by the female companions of prisoners in solidarity with their loved ones. It can acknowledge the loss of a friend or family member: Basketball player Amar'e Stoudemire has had a teardrop tattoo since honouring his older brother Hazell Jr.

The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo of a tear that is placed underneath the eye. The teardrop is one of the most widely recognised prison tattoos [1] and has various meanings. It can signify that the wearer has spent time in prison, [2] [3] or more specifically that the wearer was raped while incarcerated and tattooed by the rapist as a "property" mark and for humiliation, since facial tattoos cannot be concealed. The tattoo is sometimes worn by the female companions of prisoners in solidarity with their loved ones. It can acknowledge the loss of a friend or family member: Basketball player Amar'e Stoudemire has had a teardrop tattoo since honouring his older brother Hazell Jr. In West Coast gang culture USA , the tattoo may signify that the wearer has killed someone [11] [12] and in some of those circles, the tattoo's meaning can change: an empty outline meaning the wearer attempted murder. Sometimes the exact meaning of the tattoo is known only by the wearer: [12] [13] Portuguese footballer Ricardo Quaresma has never explained his teardrop tattoos.

What does a tattooed teardrop mean

Tattoos have been around for a long time, with different meanings and symbolism behind each one. One of the most recognizable tattoos is the tear drop tattoo. It is a tattoo that features a teardrop shape placed under the eye. It is a small yet powerful tattoo that has gained popularity in recent times. In this article, we will explore the full meaning and symbolism behind the tear drop tattoo. The tear drop tattoo has been associated with different meanings and origins throughout history. The tattoo was placed under the eye, with each tear drop representing a murder or a death that the gang member had witnessed or committed. It was a way of showing off their criminal past and earning respect among their peers. However, in recent years, the tear drop tattoo has taken on new meanings and has become more mainstream. Some people get the tattoo to represent the loss of a loved one or a difficult time in their life.

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Because tears symbolize sadness, that struggle could be a tragic incident or a traumatic event. Go to mobile version. Here are some jailhouse tattoos and their hidden meanings: Table of Contents. The meaning of teardrop tattoos can vary depending on the geography, but they all have the same premise: it symbolizes murder. Type of tattoo. Corrections Prison Gangs Prison Tattoos. Latin Kings have a huge presence both in and out of prison, and their roots go back to the s. Creating the perfect teardrop tattoo requires skill, precision, and the right tools. Motivating Offender Change program. La Eme Photo Police Mag. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. Journal of Latin American Studies. Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. April 27, Music. Other details of the crown, such as the colors of the jewels in the points, can have a whole other level of hidden meanings.

I was once captivated by the sight of a person with a teardrop tattoo beneath their eye.

The three dot tattoo is often created using a stick-and-poke method, requiring very rudimentary tools. However, this application is by no means limited to gang or prison culture. About The Author. Download as PDF Printable version. MS 13 Photo Wikimedia. With these budget-friendly machines, tattoo artists can create professional-grade teardrop tattoos without breaking the bank. Playing card tattoos are very popular jailhouse tattoos for inmates who are in prison for gambling, or for inmates who love to gamble in general. Inuit Kakiniit code: iku promoted to code: iu , Tavlugun code: ipk promoted to code: ik Osage Haudenosaunee. Tattoos and tattooing. It can also mean that the person with this tattoo sees life as a gamble, pushing their luck and usually losing. The five points are due to the Latin Kings being an affiliate of the People Nation gang, which is represented by the number five. This tattoo usually has either 3-points or 5-points, with the five-point crown being more common, thanks to their affiliation with the People Nation Gang, a loose confederation of Chicago gangs whose identifying marker is the number 5. It can signify that the wearer has spent time in prison, [2] [3] or more specifically that the wearer was raped while incarcerated and tattooed by the rapist as a "property" mark and for humiliation, since facial tattoos cannot be concealed.