Tattoos are more than just ink on skin—they are a way for people to express themselves. Some people get tattoos to show who they are, remember a special event or person, honor their culture, or just because they love the art. However, in some places, people still view tattoos as not acceptable.
Tattoos can sometimes tell stories that are not just personal but also about belonging to a group. For instance, certain tattoos can show a connection to gangs. These tattoos might include special symbols, numbers, or pictures that are important to the gang. They are used to show loyalty, status, or sometimes to scare other gangs or the police.
Some common tattoos linked to gangs include the numbers “14” and “88,” which are symbols for Neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups, often seen with members of the Aryan Brotherhood. Another example is the spiderweb tattoo, usually found on the elbow or neck, which is connected to prison life. Each part of the web can represent a year spent in jail.
However, not every tattoo with these designs is linked to crime. Some people might choose a spiderweb simply because they like how it looks. Similarly, a teardrop tattoo can mean different things. While it often suggests involvement in serious crimes, the meaning can change depending on who has the tattoo and where they are from.
The “Three Dots” tattoo, forming a small triangle, might mean “my crazy life” in Spanish, hinting at a wild, possibly criminal lifestyle. But it can also be a reminder of the saying, “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.”
Another tattoo, the “quincunx” or five-dot tattoo, is made of five dots in a square with one in the center. This tattoo is often related to life in prison, representing the prisoner’s journey.
The “MS” tattoo stands for “Mara Salvatrucha,” or MS-13, a well-known gang that started in El Salvador. People in this gang wear the tattoo as a sign of their membership.
It’s important to know about these tattoos, but we must be careful not to judge people just by their ink. Not everyone with such tattoos is involved in crime. Tattoos can have many meanings, and everyone has their own story. So, next time you see someone with a tattoo, remember there might be more to their story than meets the eye.
