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Tattoos are used among criminals to show us membership of gangs and record the wearer's personal history - such as his or her skills, specialties, accomplishments and convictions. They are also used as a means of personal expression. Certain designs have developed recognized coded meanings. The code systems can be quite complex and because of the nature of what they encode, the tattoos are not widely recognized. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... For other uses, see Crime (disambiguation). ... Mara Salvatrucha suspect bearing gang tattoos is handcuffed. ... In communications, a code is a rule for converting a piece of information (for example, a letter, word, or phrase) into another form or representation, not necessarily of the same type. ...

Britain and Ireland

A.C.A.B. is an acronym often integrated into prison tattoos in the United Kingdom. It is most commonly rendered with one letter between the knuckle and first joint of each finger, sometimes as symbolic small dots with or without the accompanying letters. A.C.A.B. can stand for All Coppers Are Bastards, or Always Carry A Bible, depending on who is asking and whether the bearer is trying to make a good impression. The British Oi! Punk band, the 4-Skins popularized the acronym A.C.A.B. in their 1970's song of the same name. It is currently in common usage as a phrase and tattoo amongst the radical European football fans known as Ultras. A similar tattoo consists of the letters A.P.A.B. (All Pigs Are Bastards, "pig" in this context being derogatory slang term for police officer). It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Backronym and Apronym (Discuss) Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations, such as NATO, laser, and ABC, written as the initial letter or letters of words, and pronounced on the basis of this abbreviated written form. ... For other uses, see Tattoo (disambiguation). ... The knuckles are the joints of the fingers, which are brought into prominence when the hand is shut. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... For other uses, see Bible (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Oi! (disambiguation). ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... The 4-Skins were an Oi! band formed in the late 1970s at Waterloo, and disbanded in 1984. ... For other uses, see Ultras (disambiguation). ...

The Borstal mark (or "Borstal spot") is an Indian ink dot, usually located between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. Borstals were UK youth detention centers, and the mark was traditionally obtained during an offender's first period of imprisonment. An older, now rarely seen^{[citation needed]}, version was to have the dot on the left cheekbone. The borstal mark has been considered a status symbol among some criminals. The "Borstal Glove" consists of an tattooed outline of the back of the hand. In the United Kingdom, a borstal was a juvenile detention centre or reformatory, an institution of the criminal justice system, intended to reform delinquent male youths aged between about 16 and 21. ... Indian ink (or India ink in American English) is a simple black ink once widely used for writing and printing, and now more commonly used for drawing, especially when inking comics. ...

Australia

Prisoners who were transported from Britain to Australian penal colonies between 1787 and 1867 were sometimes tattooed with marks intended to signify disgrace, for example D for deserter. However, prisoners often modified these tattoos to conceal the original design or to express wry or rebellious messages.^[1] A penis colony is a colony used to detain prisoners and generally use them for penal labor in an economically underdeveloped part of the states (usually colonial) territories, and on a far larger scale than a prison farm. ...

Filipino gangs

A tattoo of a Question Mark (?) located on any part of the body is a mark of the infamous Filipino gang B.N.G. or Bahala Na Gang ("Come What May"), known for being especially violent and dangerous. A question mark is a punctuation mark. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ...

A tattoo that appears like a U.F.O is commonly seen among members of "Sputnik Gang", from the famous Russian spacecraft Sputnik. UFO can mean: Unidentified flying object United Future Organization, a Japanese-Brazilian electronic jazz band UFO, the rock band that previously featured Michael Schenker UFO, the Gerry Anderson TV series United Farmers of Ontario, a political party that formed the government in Ontario from 1919 to 1923 U.F.O... The Space Shuttle Discovery as seen from the International Space Station. ... Sputnik redirects here. ...

These gangs have been around since as early as the 1950s.

North American

See also: Three Dots Tattoo

A tattoo of three dots in a triangle, usually found between the thumb and forefinger, stands for "mi vida loca" ("my crazy life"). Along with the pachuco cross, it is a popular "generic" tattoo among Latino teenagers, and has no direct connection to gangs. The tattoo has also been adopted by Vietnamese teenagers, along with the similar interpretation of "tôi không cần gì cả" ("I need nothing"). A teardrop tattoo is said to indicate that the wearer has killed someone or a friend of his/hers was killed in prison. It is worn by the eye. This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... For the Brazilian pop singer, see Latino (singer). ... The tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo that is placed underneath ones eye to create the impression that the individual is crying. ... This article is about fatal harm. ...

Other common tattoos are names of relatives or gang members, symbols of aggression (such as skulls), tattoos advertising a particular skill, or (among Latino prisoners) religious imagery.^[1] A tattoo of a clock with no hands is often found on the upper arm of a convict, meaning "doing time".

Aryan Brotherhood

A tattoo of a shamrock is associated with the white supremacist prison gang known as the Aryan Brotherhood. But many people with Irish descent who are not at all affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood often have shamrock tattoos. These people who are jailed are forced to cover these tattoos by the AB as they aren't allowed to wear the AB tattoo even though it is an entirely Irish emblem. Inside each of the three leaves of the shamrock is often found the number six. St. Patrick used the shamrock to teach ancient druids the holy trinity, and by adding a 6 in each leaf the Aryan Brotherhood makes a comment of turning good to evil. They are also known to hide the 666 or the letters "AB" in other, more mundane tattoos. The Aryan Brotherhood is also known to use 12 as an identifier, with the 1 symbolizing the letter A, and the 2 symbolizing the letter B. Another white supremacist gang, the Aryan Circle, uses "13" as their symbol, with the same derivation. The Shamrock Oxalis acetosella as The Shamrock The shamrock, an unofficial symbol of Ireland and Boston, Massachusetts, is a three-leafed old white clover, sometimes (rarely nowadays) Trifolium repens (white clover, known in Irish as seamair bhán) but more usually today Trifolium dubium (lesser clover, Irish: seamair bhuí). However... White supremacy is the variety of white nationalism that believes the white race should rule over other races. ... Prison gang is a term used to denote any type of gang activity in prisons and correctional facilities. ... The Aryan Brotherhood, (also known as the AB or The Brand) is a prison gang numbering about 15,000 members in and out of prison. ...

Mara Salvatrucha

A tattoo of the number 13 might indicate membership of the Mexican Mafia or just being of Mexican descent. Mara Salvatrucha 13(MS13) uses "13" as a form of respect to the Mexican Mafia(La Eme) and Sureno 13 because they are of Central American origin, not Mexican. Because many Central Americans began moving into southern California, the gang was created for protection purposes against the Mexican gangs that outnumbered them. Sureños, created in the California prison system to show separation between Southern Californians from Northern Californians. Blue is used by 13 and red by 14. The 13 or X3 stands for the 'M' in Mexican Mafia, M being the thirteenth letter of the alphabet. The Mexican Mafia, called La EME, and affiliated with the Sureños, uses a double M insignia or a hand (usually black). Mara Salvatrucha refers to large gangs in Central America and the United States and Canada. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Nuestra Familia

A tattoo of the number 14 is associated with the prison gang Nuestra Familia, which is associated with the Northern California street gang the Norteños. The Sureños and Norteños are sworn enemies both in prison and on the streets. A tattoo of 13 ½ means 12 jurors, 1 judge, a half assed lawyer or half a chance. Nuestra Familia (Spanish for Our Family) are a group of Mexican American (Chicano) prison gangs with origins in Northern California. ... The Norteños (Spanish: for Northerners), affiliated with Nuestra Familia (Our Family), are a coalition of partially Latino gangs in Northern California. ...

Area codes

It is a common practice for Californian street gangs of all races and ethnic backgrounds to have the telephone area code of their neighborhood tattooed (e.g. 213, 818, 310). This practice is also common place in New Mexico where many gang members display the state's original area code (505). With the frequent changes in California area codes, this can quickly become outdated. A telephone numbering plan is a system that allows subscribers to make and receive telephone calls across long distances. ... Official language(s) None Spoken language(s) English 68. ...

Russia

Russian criminal tattoos have a complex system of symbols which can give quite detailed information about the wearer. Not only do the symbols carry meaning but the area of the body on which they are placed may be meaningful too. The initiation tattoo of a new gang member is usually placed on the chest and may incorporate a rose. A rose on the chest is also used within the Russian Mafia. Wearing false or unearned tattoos is punishable by death in the criminal underworld. Tattoos can be voluntarily removed (for loss of rank, new affiliation, "life style" change, etc.) by bandaging magnesium powder onto the surface whereas painful caustic burns dissolve the skin bearing the marks. This powder is gained by filing "light alloy" e.g. lawnmower casing and is a jailhouse commodity. Initiation rites are formalized, ceremonial rites of passage as an individual moves from stage to stage within a social career or formally acquires such status. ... Male Chest The chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals. ... For other uses, see Rose (disambiguation). ... The Russian Mafia or Russkaya Mafiya, Red Mafia, Krasnaya Mafiya or Bratva (slang for brotherhood), is a name given to a broad group of organized criminals of various ethnicity which appeared in the former Soviet Union territories after its disintegration in 1991. ...

Tattoos done in a Russian prison have a distinct blueish color and usually appear somewhat blurred because of the lack of instruments to draw fine lines. The ink is often created from burning the heel of a shoe and mixing the soot with urine. For other uses, see Heel (disambiguation). ... Soot, also called lampblack, Pigment Black 7, carbon black or black carbon, is a dark powdery deposit of unburned fuel residues, usually composed mainly of amorphous carbon, that accumulates in chimneys, automobile mufflers and other surfaces exposed to smoke—especially from the combustion of carbon-rich organic fuels in the... This article is about the urine of animals generally. ...

In addition to voluntary tattooing, tattoos are used to stigmatize and punish individuals within the criminal society. They may be placed on an individual who fails to pay debts in card games, or otherwise breaks the criminal code, and often have very blatant sexual images, embarrassing the wearer. The victim of a forcibly applied tattoo is nevertheless required to pay the tattoo artist for his work. For other uses, see Debt (disambiguation). ... For the game on The Price Is Right, see Card Game (pricing game). ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Embarrassment is an unpleasant emotional state experienced upon having a socially or professionally unacceptable act or condition witnessed by or revealed to others. ...

Tattoos on the forehead are usually forcibly applied, and designed both to humiliate the bearer and warn others about him or her. They frequently consist of slurs about the bearer's ethnicity, sexual orientation, or perceived collusion with the prison authorities. They can indicate that the bearer is a member of a political group considered offensive by other prisoners (e.g. Vlasovite), or has been convicted of a crime (such as child rape) which is disapproved of by other criminals. Sexual orientation refers to the direction of an individuals sexuality, usually conceived of as classifiable according to the sex or gender of the persons whom the individual finds sexually attractive. ... General Andrey Andreyevich Vlasov or Wlassow (Russian: Андрéй Андрéевич Влáсов, September 14 [O.S. September 1] 1900 — August 2, 1946) was a Soviet Army General who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. // Born in Lomakino, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Vlasov was originally a student at a Russian seminary. ...

Tattoos that consist of political or anti-authoritarian statements are known as 'grins'. They are often tattooed on the stomach of a vor v zakone, as a means of acquiring status in the criminal community. A Russian criminologist, Yuri Dubyagin, has claimed that, during the Soviet era, there existed 'secret orders' that an anti-government tattoo must be 'destroyed surgically', and that this procedure was usually fatal. Consequently, such tattoos were also sometimes applied forcibly to the back of a violator of the 'thieves' code', as punishment. In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ... Vor v zakone (thief in law) Singular or Vory v Zakone (Thieves in law) is both a description of a skilled worker, particularly a theif, within the Russian Criminal world, and is also a name for a society of russian theives. ... Look up Criminologist in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The four suits:

• Spades - the "suit of thieves".
• Clubs - a "criminal" suit that represents a sword (mostly exWarriours).
• Diamonds - the "chummy suit" (i.e. stool pigeons and informers). This suit is usually forcibly applied.
• Hearts - a sexual symbol. It marks the wearer out as a "passive homosexual"/sex object within the prison/sex toy.

A young waif steals a pair of boots Stealing redirects here. ... Prison sexuality deals with sexual relationships between confined individuals or those between a prisoner and a prison employee (or other persons to whom prisoners have access). ...

Other symbols

This section does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

• Crucifix- a cross worn on the chest signifies a "Prince of Thieves", the highest possible rank. Or a scene of the crucified Christ, has no religious meaning but it's the inmate saying he's been oppressed and sentenced by the authorities just like Jesus. If the crucifix is topped by a crown then it means the wearer is a pakhan - a leader of a thieves family.
• 'Grins' - these are humorous tattoos usually incorporating a grinning face and are often accompanied by text. The butt of the grin/joke in will often be the prison authorities.
• Snakes - a snake around the neck/shoulders mean that the wearer feels that the Soviet/Communist party system still has a hold on them, still adversely affecting their lives.
• 'Lawnmower'* - This means the person is a transvestite
• Tigers - signifies an 'enforcer', or a sign of an avenger, geared at times at guards and prison authority.
• Five Dots - The dots are assembled in the same fashion that the number five on a dice. Its meaning varies, but sometimes can symbolize a cop surrounded by four criminals. (In Romanian prisons it symbolizes man stuck between four walls.)^[2].
• Cats - the cat is associated with the characteristics needed by a thief (slyness). The most common thief tattoo. Normally tattooed as a pair on the upper chest.
• Skulls - these are usually worn by high ranking gang members, interpreted to mean a murderer.
• Eyes - Various meanings: if on the upper/middle torso they literally mean that the wearer is keeping their eyes open and it isn't a derogatory/forced tattoo. If placed on lower backside that is to show that the prisoner is used for sexual gratification. If the eyes are tattooed in the lower groin/hip high area (thus creating a 'face' when his trousers are dropped - with the penis becoming the nose) someone with that tattoo is known as 'humiliated' or 'a Downcast'.
• Barbed wire - Often the prison term in years is shown by the number of 'barbs' on the wire. If seen on the forehead this is seen as a symbol of life imprisonment without chance of parole.
• Swastika/Nazi symbols - are a sign of rebellion against Russian prison authority, but can also be used as a symbol for life imprisonment. Doesn't actually mean that the wearer is a Nazi sympathiser. On the face it is worst possible punishment - denotes a "bottom" who is either anyone's sex slave or, in short term, marked for exclusive rape by punishers. "Bottoms" are the most despised.
• Stars - stars commonly represent time served; each point indicates a year served in jail or if stars are tattooed on knees it means you bow to no authority.
• Double Sig runes - One who does not confess, also tattooed as sign of rebellion to authority, again not usually associated with the Nazi symbol.
• Churches - The number of dome towers (cupolas) indicates either number of prison terms or number of years of the sentence.
• Setting sun - this tattoo is usually accompanied by birds flying over the horizon. It represents freedom.
• Knight or Crusader - a knight in full armor indicates a sadist, an inmate accused of hooliganism, assault and battery. Also indicates prison 'enforcers' or tattooed for racist meanings.
• Genie - a Genie and a lamp indicate inmates serving time for drug-related crimes.
• Spider within a Web - Can indicate a drug addiction. It can also mean that the wearer is a thief. If the spider is shown moving upwards it means the wearer is still an active criminal, if the spider is moving downwards it means that the wearer is intending to leave the thief's way of life. Narcotic trafficers have big spiders; dealers advertise with spiders in webs, or webs alone; or show they're also buyers with butterfly additions.
• Dagger - sexual predator or, if the dagger is tattooed on the shoulders with blood dripping from the end of blade, it means you are a killer, a man to be feared or called upon when in need of an accomplice for a murder.
• Bells - Literally signifies that the wearer will serve his full given sentence, from "bell call to bell call". He cannot get parole because he has been convicted of a very serious crime. Shows high ranking and will get respect in prison.
• Candle sticks - wearer is saying he can extinguish your light, beware.
• Butterflies - show the wearer is trustworthy, and an escape artist. Can mean wearer is a drug buyer - whereas posterior of "butterfly" ends in syringe-like tail. Can be combined with "spiders" and "webs" if trafficing.
• Stalin and Lenin faces - considered sacred in the days of the Soviet Union, so inmates would tattoo the faces over their hearts and vital organs so guards would not hit or shoot them in that spot of the body. Nowadays these tattoos are rarely used. In fact religious icons have replaced it - that guards would not desecrate a sacred image or that its "holiness" will deflect harm.
• Sailing Ship - This means that the wearer is willing to come along with an escape plan. Anyone planning an escape will know that the wearer will be keen to be a part of it.
• Crown - The Crown on any part of the body indicates a leader or "King", the head of a family.
• Madonna - holding a baby Jesus - wearer has been a thief/criminal from their early days.
• Rose - The wearer celebrated a teenage birthday in the zone (prison).
• Pornographic tattoos - these tattoos can represent a length of commitment in the navy or can be forcibly applied because of failure to pay gambling debts or other infractions of the thieves code.
• Eagle - Proud badge of grand thief or bandit. Usually large and prominent.
• Bull - Pimp or sex trafficker. Can mean a hireable body-guard.
• Rampant Stallion - Brothel keeper. Above a "bull" means owner has "graduated" to this position from time served as pimp.

Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... The Crucifix, a cross with corpus, a symbol used in Catholicism in contrast with some other Christian communions, which use only a cross. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Look up Humour in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An acronym referring to the fields of genetics, robotics, information technology, and nanotechnology. ... For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Tiger (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis lybica invalid junior synonym The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ... For other uses of Skull, see Skull (disambiguation). ... This article refers to the sight organ. ... Typical modern agricultural barbed wire. ... This article is about the symbol. ... National Socialism redirects here. ... This article is about the astronomical object. ... Sig is the name given by Guido von List for the Sigel or s rune of the Armanen Futharkh, and is also used by Karl Maria Wiligut for his runes. ... National Socialism redirects here. ... This article is about the Christian buildings of worship. ... For other uses, see cupola (disambiguation) Cupola of St Peters Basilica, Rome In architecture, a cupola consists of a dome-shaped ornamental structure located on top of a larger roof or dome, often used as a lookout or to admit light and remove stale air. ... Knights Dueling, by Eugène Delacroix For other uses, see Knight (disambiguation) or Knights (disambiguation). ... This article is about the medieval crusades. ... For other uses, see Genie (disambiguation). ... DEA Operation Mallorca, 2005 Drug deal Illegal drugs are related to crime in multiple ways. ... For other uses, see Spider (disambiguation). ... Bold text This article is about the weapon. ... A bell is a simple sound-making device. ... Nickname: Location in Mecklenburg County in the state of North Carolina Coordinates: Country United States State North Carolina Counties Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Government  - Mayor Pat McCrory, (R) Area  - City  280. ... Superfamilies and families Superfamily Hedyloidea: Hedylidae Superfamily Hesperioidea: Hesperiidae Superfamily Papilionoidea: Papilionidae Pieridae Nymphalidae Lycaenidae Riodinidae A butterfly is an insect of the order Lepidoptera. ... Iosif (usually anglicized as Joseph) Vissarionovich Stalin (Russian: Иосиф Виссарионович Сталин), original name Ioseb Jughashvili (Georgian: იოსებ ჯუღაშვილი; see Other names section) (December 21, 1879[1] – March 5, 1953) was a Bolshevik revolutionary and leader of the Soviet Union. ... Vladimir Ilyich Lenin ( Russian: Влади́мир Ильи́ч Ле́нин  listen?), original surname Ulyanov (Улья́нов) ( April 22 (April 10 ( O.S.)), 1870 – January 21, 1924), was a Russian revolutionary, the leader of the Bolshevik party, the first Premier of the Soviet Union, and the founder of the ideology of Leninism. ... For other uses, see Ship (disambiguation). ... A crown is a symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a god, for whom the crown is traditionally one of the symbols of power and legitimacy (See Regalia for a broader treatment). ... Virgin and Child Surrounded by Angels (c. ... This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... For other uses, see Rose (disambiguation). ... Genera Several, see text. ... Look up bull in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Egyptian tattoos

• Kings or Pyramids - Assassins, Masterminds, Head Bosses - Very Dangerous.
• Eye of Horus - Protection from enemies / back-stabbers.
• Anubis - Protection from death.
• Ankh- Eternal life.

For other meanings, see pyramid (disambiguation). ... The Eye of Horus The Eye of Horus (originally, The Eye of Ra) is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection and Royal Power, from the deity Horus or Ra. ... For other uses, see Anubis (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Ankh (disambiguation). ...

References

• Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia Danzig Baldaev, ISBN 3-88243-920-3
• Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia v2 Danzig Baldaev, ISBN 0-9550061-2-0
• Russian Prison Tattoos: Codes of Authority, Domination and Struggle Alix Lambert, ISBN 0-7643-1764-4
• Mark of Cain - On Russian Criminal Tattoos DVD Alix Lambert, ASIN B0011UBDV8

See also

• Irezumi
• Russian Mafia
• Tattoos
• Triad
• Vor v zakone
• Yakuza

The Japanese word irezumi (入れ墨, 入墨, 文身, 剳青, 黥 or 刺青) refers to the insertion of ink under the skin to leave a permanent, usually decorative mark, in other words, tattooing. ... The Russian Mafia or Russkaya Mafiya, Red Mafia, Krasnaya Mafiya or Bratva (slang for brotherhood), is a name given to a broad group of organized criminals of various ethnicity which appeared in the former Soviet Union territories after its disintegration in 1991. ... For other uses, see Tattoo (disambiguation). ... Triad (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; literally Triad Society) or (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Pinyin: ; literally Black Society, a general term for criminal organizations) is a term that describes many branches of Chinese underground society and/or organizations based in Hong Kong and Macau and also operating in Taiwan, mainland... Vor v zakone (thief in law) Singular or Vory v Zakone (Thieves in law) is both a description of a skilled worker, particularly a theif, within the Russian Criminal world, and is also a name for a society of russian theives. ... For other uses, see Yakuza (disambiguation). ...

External links

• Criminal Tattoo Article with Images
• Symbolism of Tattoos including Criminal and Prison Tattoos
• Chicago Gang Tattoos
• Examples of Criminal Tats
• Anything about this powerful Organization - Yakuza
• Essay and book review
• US prison gangs
• US military unit ordered to strip for inspection of tattoos