There is one particular tattoo that has become popular over the years that has become a generic symbol for gang members and non-gang members of all races and ethnicities
--- the teardrop tattoo.
The teardrop is said to have originated with Hispanic gangs in California in the 1940's. Others have said that it originated in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Regardless of the origin, over the years, the tattoo has evolved in appearance and meaning.
Originally believed to mean that the wearer had served time in prison, teardrops now mean a variety of things. They can mean that the wearer has killed someone or that they've lost a family member or fellow gang member. They may also mean that the wearer has done, or is doing, prison time. The prison time may range from one to ten years. Also, the Folks and People Nations, two alliances of many gangs, identify everything either to their right or left
sides, respectively. The teardrop may be used by persons to identify themselves as a gang member and to show the members allegiance to one nation or the other. Additionally, and unfortunately, many of today’s youths think it is “cool” to emulate what the gangs do. It is a way of showing off for some. As a fad or fashion statement, many have begun to wear the teardrop tattoo which in some areas automatically marks them
incorrectly as a gang member. Also, some celebrities not connected with gangs, have gotten the tattoo for their own reasons.
An
example of a celebrity who wears two tear drop tattoos is Larry
Hughes, a National Basketball League star, who plays for the
Cleveland Cavaliers. Hughes lost his brother and to remember
him, had two teardrop tattoos placed beneath his left eye. He
states that at the time, he did not realize the gang related
significance that the tattoo has.
It is being said that inmates in the Australian penal system, who
are child molesters or sexual predators, are forcibly being tattooed
with the tear drop tattoo to alert others to the heinous crime
committed by the person.
Today there are two traditional, very distinct teardrop tattoos. Depending on the meaning and the
particular group, the teardrop may, or may not, be filled in. The tattoo may
simply be the outline of a teardrop and is referred to as an open teardrop. The
filled in teardrop is referred to as a closed teardrop. What means one thing to
one person may mean something totally different to someone else. What matters as
much, or more than the tattoo, is the context in which it is worn.
Is it being worn in memory of someone? Is it being worn as a
reminder to others that the wearer is a murderer? Or is it being
worn out of sheer stupidity?
A third type of tear drop tattoo is now
being reported. It is described as a "half" tear drop which is
only half filled in with ink. It is supposed to symbolize the fact
that someone close to the wearer was killed and the wearer then killed
the assailant.
One thing to remember. No one can look at a teardrop tattoo and state positively that the tattoo has a specific meaning. As stated above, there are multiple meanings and only the wearer knows the reason he or she is wearing the tattoo.
DOT TATTOOS:
The dots are usually in groups of three or five
small dot tattoos. The most common locations are the web of the hands, the
wrist and elbows. Members affiliated with the Sureños, or
Sur 13, have been known to place three dots on one wrist and a single dot on the
other to indicate the number ¨13¨. Members of the Sureños are also
known to wear the three dots near the left eye, similar to the photograph below,
showing the right eye.
A tattoo of three dots
in a triangle, usually found between the thumb and forefinger, has several meanings. The dots may stand for "mi vida loca"
("my crazy life"). They may also be referred to as "party dots." And finally, they may represent a gang known as
Los Vatos Locos (The Crazy Dudes or Guys) gang. Only the person wearing the
dots knows what they mean to him or her.
Along with the pachuco cross, the number 187, and the slang tattoo "Thug Life",
the "three dots", referred to as "tres puntos" in Spanish, is a popular "generic" tattoo, particularly among Latino teenagers, and has no
positive, direct connection
to gang affiliation.
Tattoos - A Law Enforcement Tool
Tattoos are an excellent tool for law enforcement and corrections officers to use to identify known or suspected gang members. During any encounter with an individual, whether he or she is a gang member or not, the officer should make every attempt to obtain as much detail as possible about an individuals tattoos. Of course the best method of doing this is to photograph the tattoos and either store them in a database or a hard file.
REMEMBER: Generic type tattoos are not conclusive
proof that the person wearing the tattoo is a gang member. Other
factors or identifiers may have to be used to identify the person as
a member of a particular gang.
Share your pictures of tattoos
Do you have pictures of
gang tattoos? If you would like to share them, forward them to me
by Email.
Each picture
must have a description of what the tattoo represents as well as the
name and location of the gang that uses it. All pictures must be
original and not taken from another web site or other sources. If
submitted, the pictures may or may not be used and no pictures will be
returned.
Chicago gang tattoos
The following link is a great source for hundreds of Chicago based gang tattoos.
Gang Ink
Recognizing and interpreting tattoos
The web page link below is an excellent web site for assisting in tattoo identification:
NOTE: Sgt Ken Whitley, Corona, CA Police Department (Retired), and owner of the above web site, has an outstanding collection of tattoos on CD-ROM. These tattoo photographs are an excellent tool for identification or training. For further information click onto his web site above and scroll to the bottom of the page.
OTHER TATTOO LINKS
Asian Gangs
Many kids today are getting them to make them appear tough or as a fashion statement.
