Prison tattoos: What the symbols mean

29.09.2021 0

This is an automatically created translation.

The meaning behind the most famous prison tattoos

In principle, tattooing is forbidden in prisons. But that has not stopped any prisoner from getting a tattoo, because it is well known that prisoners do not like rules and bans. No other type of tattoo is surrounded by as many myths, stories and meanings as prison tattoos, but how do you get a tattoo without professional equipment and a touch of nothing that is considered allowed in prisons? One thing is for sure: it takes a long time and hurts like hell. One option is to cut into the affected area and fill the wound with ink or ash. Others know how to help themselves with a needle and thread soaked in ink. This is pulled under the skin and leaves an ink mark. Some inmates get extra creative and use tools like walkmans, razors or wire to make their own ultimate tattoo machine. We always knew inmates had too much time on their hands.

Jail tear

Many rappers like Lil Wayne or the Game wear it. Even the model Jeremy Meeks, who became famous through his mugshot, still proudly shows his little souvenir from old prison times. The tear tattoo is probably one of the most famous tattoos from the criminal scene and accordingly has many meanings to argue about. Many say a tear under the eye represents a murder that person has committed. Others claim it shows the amount of time spent in prison so far. Also, the tear can symbolize mourning for a loved one. An unfilled tear, it is said, signifies that the person has not yet completed their work or revenge.

unfilled jail tear under the eye — *Source: Instagram @tamas_alexandru*

Mi Vida Loca

three dots tattoo arranged in a triangle, on the hand — *Source: Instagram @tea_madness*

My crazy life. Prisoners wearing three dots arranged in a triangle are usually associated with a gang. It represents belonging, but also a life on the edge, full of extremes and anything that goes against the norm. Most often, people wear the three dots on the eye or on the hand.

EWMN & ACAB

These abbreviations worn by inmates on the backs of their fingers don't follow any profound meaning. If you decide to get a tattoo like "Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty" and especially "All Cops are bastards" for your time behind bars, you can't expect preferential treatment from the prison guards.

EWMN on the finger back — *Those: Instagram @bacco133*

ACAB on the head — *Those: Instagram @limon.tattoo*

Five Points Tattoo

Five points on hand — *Those: Instagram @notoriousinktdot*

In contrast to Mi Vida Loca, the five dots tattoo stands for a prison stay. The dot in the middle symbolizes the prisoner himself, the four outer represent the walls of the prison. This tattoo is also usually stung on the hand between thumb and index finger.

Spider web and barbed wire

Similar to the five-dot tattoo, the spider web symbolizes time in prison. The longer the inmate has to serve his time, the bigger the web is stitched around the elbow or knee. With barbed wire, each knot represents another year behind bars.

Spider web tattoo on elbow — *Those: Instagram @emmalolattt*

Barbed wire under the chest — *Quelle: Instagram @guyonfrancois*

Man with eyes tattoos on the chest — *Source: Instagram @themark_ofcain*

Eyes on the chest

Anyone who encounters an inmate with this tattoo should beware. Because this person has gained a lot of power during the time in prison and enjoys a high degree of authority and respect. However, not to be confused with the person who wears eyes on the stomach, which symbolizes homosexuality.

Mareike

Mareike zog 2018 aus ihrem 3000-Seelen-Heimatsdorf in Niedersachsen nach Düsseldorf und begann ihr Studium Kommunikations- und Multimediamanagement. Zuvor lebte sie fast zwei Jahre in Kalifornien und bereiste während dieser Zeit 13 Staaten der USA sowie Mexiko und Kanada. Ihr erstes Tattoo entstand spontan auf dem Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles als Erinnerung an die unvergessliche Zeit in Amerika. Das Zweite folgte während eines 2-monatigen Backpacking Trips durch Asien. Die Leidenschaft fürs Schreiben entdeckte sie durch ihren eigenen Reiseblog, den sie während ihres Auslandsaufenthaltes führte.

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