What does a tattooed teardrop mean

Tattoos have a long what does a tattooed teardrop mean 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. But jail tattoos take it up a notch: despite the hard setting that these tattoos come from, many of them carry rich symbolismoften blending the esoteric with the practical, the shocking with the plain. Many of these jailhouse tattoos have crossed over to mainstream culture, although some people might be unaware of their origins.

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. This tattoo often appears under the left eye. Notable wearers are said to include convicted felon Jeremy Meeks, who went viral for an attractive mugshot.

What does a tattooed teardrop mean

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. Contents move to sidebar hide. Article Talk. Read Edit View history. Tools Tools. Download as PDF Printable version. In other projects. Wikimedia Commons. Type of tattoo.

The teardrop is one of the most widely recognised prison tattoos [1] and has various meanings.

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.

When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. The teardrop tattoo is often used as a trope in movies as a gang or prison tattoo. Teardrop tattoos can be very meaningful. At times, they may even have more than one that is either filled with black or left as an outline only. This type of teardrop tattoo is featured in pop culture so often, that it is by far the most renowned tear tattoo. Where does it come from? Well, it first appeared in mainstream media as part of prison culture in the s in New York. A popular magazine published an article about a gang member who was imprisoned in the United States and he donned the now-famous teardrop on his upper cheek.

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.

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Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body. Other details of the crown, such as the colors of the jewels in the points, can have a whole other level of hidden meanings. The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo of a tear that is placed underneath the eye. Because tears symbolize sadness, that struggle could be a tragic incident or a traumatic event. The teardrop tattoo , often under the right eye, may also signal sad sentiments more generally. Usually seen on elbows or hands, cobweb tattoos are a classic example of jailhouse ink that symbolizes being behind bars for a really, really long time. 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. Risks aside, many find the morose meanings of the teardrop tattoo an attractive look. The three-dot tattoo is usually found around the eyes, or on the hands near the base of the thumb, and unlike other jailhouse tattoos, the three-dot tattoo is most often created using the stick-and-poke method with makeshift tools. Next: 15 more prison tattoos and their meanings. The numbers 14 or 88 on their own can also be used, which sometimes creates confusion. One thing to note, though: there are plenty of cobweb tattoos in popular culture that make use of multiple colors. Many designs not only communicate a distinct identity but also declare remarkable beliefs. Mike Smith Mike Smith, a talented writer and devoted art enthusiast with a deep love for tattoos.

These tattoos come in a wide range of designs and may be combined with one or more other tattoo options. They are a popular option across ink shops all over the world, but should you get one?

Playing cards, or suits of the deck in general, usually indicate an inmate who likes to gamble. Wikimedia Commons. Mara Salvatrucha is an extremely violent organization that has businesses all around the United States, El Salvador and Canada. Based out of Chicago, the Latin Kings are an extremely organized gang that uses heavy symbolism in their rituals and hierarchy, and boasts tens of thousands of members from coast to coast. These machines offer high-quality features such as adjustable needles and varying speed settings, allowing artists to perfect their craft while keeping costs low. Apache Press. 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. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes. Talk Like a Pirate D A teardrop tattoo on the face means that the person has committed murder. Playing cards Photo Tattos Time. The MS13 tattoo can be found on any part of the body, but it is mostly tattooed on highly prominent places like the hands, neck, or even the face. The Brotherhood makes up 1 percent of the inmate population, but are responsible for 20 percent of murders inside of U. Cultural Diversity: Gender Differences. Download as PDF Printable version.