What does a teardrop tattoo on the eye mean

Tattoos have a long and 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.

What does a teardrop tattoo on the eye 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.

The teardrop tattoooften under the right eye, may also signal sad sentiments more generally. You can also find them on fingers. The teardrop tattoo has been a popular design in the tattoo industry for years, symbolizing a variety of meanings from loss to triumph.

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. The numbers 14 or 88 on their own can also be used, which sometimes creates confusion. Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body.

The teardrop tattoo, a simple yet powerfully symbolic design, has a complex and layered history rooted in prison culture, personal experiences, and various interpretations. While it is most widely recognized as a prison tattoo, the teardrop has found its way into mainstream fashion and media, both contributing to and perpetuating misconceptions and controversy around its meaning. Originally, teardrop tattoos were predominantly associated with gang and prison culture, where they commonly signified that a person had served time, been humiliated, or had killed. However, the meaning of this evocative symbol has evolved over time, with individuals also adopting the teardrop to represent sorrow or loss. Furthermore, the meaning can vary based on factors such as location and number of tears, making it a versatile and deeply personal emblem for those who choose to bear it. The teardrop tattoo, a symbolic design placed underneath the eye, is one of the most widely recognized prison tattoos. Each teardrop marked under the eye represented a murder or a death witnessed or committed by the gang member. Over time, the teardrop tattoo has evolved to hold various meanings within the prison and gang culture. Traditionally, it indicated that a person had killed another person, lost a loved one, or been raped in prison.

What does a teardrop tattoo on the eye mean

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.

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Having this symbol as an inmate can bring you huge benefits from the Brotherhood, but can make you a large and glaring target for non-White inmates. Winehouse appeared in public with a tiny teardrop drawn in eyeliner beneath her left eye. Contents move to sidebar hide. The meaning of teardrop tattoos can vary depending on the geography, but they all have the same premise: it symbolizes murder. 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. Jail staff can stay safer by knowing as much as they can about 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. In some prisons, the meaning of teardrop tattoos differs depending on which side it is on. Where does teardrop tattoo come from? Categories : Symbols Tattoo designs Prison culture Prison rape. DOJ report highlights problems with gang activity, unsafe conditions in 3 Miss.

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.

The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo of a tear that is placed underneath the eye. Know a different meaning for the tattoos displayed here? Type of tattoo. The idea behind their placement is that the person getting tattooed is proud of being part of Mara Salvatrucha, and is not afraid to make this affiliation known to both civilians and law enforcement. Sports Grid. Cultural Diversity: Gender Differences. 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. The unofficial dividing line between the two is in Delano, California. Typically, these tattoos can be found anywhere on the body. Note This is not meant to be a formal definition of teardrop tattoo like most terms we define on Dictionary. This tattoo often appears under the left eye. Those who are newbies behind bars with a teardrop tattoo will make a lot of enemies, fast. A spade represents a thief; clubs symbolize criminals in general.