Also known as the quincunx, the four dots on the outside represent four walls, with the fifth on the inside representing the prisoner. These dots differ greatly from the previous tattoo – five dots represents time done in prison. The three dot tattoo is often created using a stick-and-poke method, requiring very rudimentary tools. It can also carry some religious significance, such as representing Christianity’s holy trinity. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes. The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life.” It’s not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. Other details of the crown, such as the colors of the jewels in the points, can have a whole other level of hidden meanings. Latin Kings have a huge presence both in and out of prison, and their roots go back to the 1940s. The five points are due to the Latin Kings being an affiliate of the People Nation gang, which is represented by the number five. The crown will often be accompanied by the letters ALKN, which stands for Almighty Latin Kings Nation. This is the symbol of the Latin Kings gang, which is one of the biggest Hispanic gangs in the U.S. Those who are newbies behind bars with a teardrop tattoo will make a lot of enemies, fast.įive-point crown (Photo Gwan Soon Lee Tattoo) The teardrop has been popularized recently by rappers and other celebrities, but still remains a staple in prisons.

It can also mean that one of the inmate’s friends was murdered and that they are seeking revenge. If the teardrop is just an outline, it can symbolize an attempted murder. In some places, the tattoo can mean a lengthy prison sentence, while in others it signifies that the wearer has committed murder. One of the most widely recognized prison tattoos, the teardrop’s meaning varies geographically. If you see a multi-colored web, it’s probably not a prison tattoo tattoo ‘artists’ in jail rarely have access to colored ink. 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. The symbolism is associated with spiders trapping prey or criminals trapped behind bars. The Cobweb (Photo Timeless Tattoos Glasglow)Ĭobwebs typically represent a lengthy term in prison. Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body. The numbers 14 or 88 on their own can also be used, which sometimes creates confusion.įourteen represents fourteen words, which are a quote by Nazi leader David Lane: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for White Children.” The 88 is shorthand for the 8 th letter of the alphabet twice, HH, which represents Heil Hitler. This number can be found on white supremacist/Nazi inmates. 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. Know a different meaning for the tattoos displayed here? Share it in the comments. Here are 15 tattoos and their secret meanings.

And sometimes, inmates make it easy to know exactly what they’ve been up to through the use of tattoos. Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates.

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