Meaning of a teardrop tattoo

Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates. Here are 15 tattoos and their secret meanings.

Log in to check out faster. FREE U. Prison tattoos are something of a bad stain on the tattoo industry. After all, many of the individuals who decide to take their life on a different path want to rid themselves of these shameful marks on their bodies, but that's a topic for another blog entry. Prison tattoos are the most easily identifiable pieces because of their crude nature and simplicity.

Meaning of a teardrop tattoo

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. Because of its negative associations in mainstream culture, the tattoo has proven problematic for some. In a court case the defendant, a year- old boy, was found guilty of manslaughter and firearm offenses, prompting a year prison sentence. Various services provide removal of the teardrop tattoo , among others, for former gang members and inmates. The teardrop tattoo , often under the right eye, may also signal sad sentiments more generally. This can include gang members commemorating a fallen friend or a spouse showing solidarity for a significant other in prison. However, this application is by no means limited to gang or prison culture. Johnny Depp wears a teardrop tattoo as a melancholy heartthrob in the film Cry-Baby for his ability to shed a single tear at will.

Note This is not meant to be a formal definition of teardrop tattoo like most terms we define on Dictionary. Others may get such a tattoo to represent sorrow or loss. S2CID

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.

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.

Meaning of a teardrop tattoo

Long the focus of internet searches and interesting origin theories, what do teardrop tattoos really mean? Do people get teardrop tattoos in prison? Thanks to television and movies, many people have become fascinated with prison culture and the different rituals and practices that take place behind bars. Of all the different stereotypes and made-for-TV interpretations of life behind bars, one of the most pervasive and dramatized elements is the teardrop tattoo. Despite the prevalence of this trope in television shows and action movies that fictionalize prison life and capture the attention of the masses, this interesting design has its roots planted firmly in reality. Before the days of Justin Beiber and Post Malone sporting face tattoos, ink was associated with the fringes of society—most notably criminals—and like many things, special significance was given to these permanent markings. Within the subculture of prison, tattoos have specific meanings with many designs requiring a person to earn their ink by completing different acts or crimes. By far the most recognized of these prison tattoos is the teardrop. In the outside world the meaning behind tattoos can be as varied and eccentric as the person sporting the ink.

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However, this application is by no means limited to gang or prison culture. The symbolism of the teardrop tattoo widely varies, however. Prison tattoos are something of a bad stain on the tattoo industry. Takedown from a figure-four hold. Marine Corps Updates Tattoo Policy. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes. Where does teardrop tattoo come from? Redefine your inbox with Dictionary. Another example are bells, symbolizing freedom, or a tiger on the chest is symbolic of aggression toward the police. Talk Like a Pirate D

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.

Not all clock tattoos are tied to prison; generally just the ones lacking hands. ISBN Share it in the comments. Wonderful start to the week. Prison tattoos are something of a bad stain on the tattoo industry. In the s, the late Amy Winehouse got a teardrop tattoo as did rapper Lil Wayne in to express personal distress or loss. Retrieved 3 November These dots differ greatly from the previous tattoo — five dots represents time done in prison. The symbolism of the teardrop tattoo widely varies, however. By C1 Staff Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about inmates. 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.