20 most common prison tattoos to avoid inking on your body
Prison tattooing involves creating and displaying body art in a prison environment. In most countries, prisoners flaunt body art to convey code, gang membership, or hidden meanings regarding criminal deeds. That is why it is crucial to research before getting that inked on your body. Discover some of the most common prison tattoos to avoid.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- The most common prison tattoos and their meanings
- 1. The lock and key - a BGF gang member
- 2. 1488 - a white separatist
- 3. Teardrop - a murder
- 4. Clock face without hands - a prisoner with a long jail term
- 5. MS 13 - a Mara Salvatrucha gang member
- 6. Aryan Brotherhood - an Aryan Brotherhood gang member
- 7. Five-point crown - the Latin Kings gang member
- 8. The cobweb - a prisoner who feels like a spider trapped in a web
- 9. Three-dot triangle pattern - represents the phrase "my crazy life"
- 10. Nuestra Familia (NF) tattoo - a Nuestra Familia gang member
- 11. Five dots tattoo - an inmate within the four prison walls
- 12. La Eme - a Mexican Mafia gang member
- 13. Playing cards - an inmate looking for a romantic partner
- 14. ACAB - one's willingness to serve prison for their crew or gang
- 15. EWMN - represents the words "Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty"
- 16. Cross on the chest - a member of a high-ranking gang
- 17. Chains - a gang's symbol of unity and integration
- 18. Rose with thorns - an inmate who has served a lengthy jail term
- 19. Knife through the neck - an assassin available for hire
- 20. Cat tattoos (Russia) - a thief or burglar
- Why do prisoners get so many tattoos?
- What is the most popular tattoo in prison?
- What are the popular 5 tattoos and their meaning?
- What do the dots mean in prison tattoos?
- What does a 3 dots tattoo mean in jail?
- What does the tattoo 777 mean?
- What does a 13 tattoo mean in prison?
- What is a crown tattoo's meaning in trafficking?
- What is the meaning of a 5-point crown tattoo?
- What is the meaning of a teardrop tattoo under the right eye?
- What is a 2 tear drop tattoo meaning?
Key takeaways
- While tattooing is an ancient art, some popular tattoos originate from the prison systems.
- Prison tattoos may seem harmless, but could easily lead you into trouble.
- Prison tattoos can easily mark someone as a former prisoner, which can lead to negative reactions from people outside prison.
- Tattoos can signify gang membership or affiliation, potentially putting the individual at risk from rival gangs both inside and outside prison.
- Depending on the tattoo and its meaning, it could also attract unwanted attention from law enforcement or correctional officers.
The most common prison tattoos and their meanings
Prison tattoos have become popular due to pop culture's glorification of rebellion against the authorities. You should know what they stand for before getting such art. This article discusses the 20 most common prison tattoos for guys:
| Ranking | Prison tattoo | Meaning |
| 1. | The lock and key | A BGF gang member |
| 2. | 1488 | A white separatist |
| 3. | Teardrop | A murder |
| 4. | Clock face without hands | A prisoner with a long jail term |
| 5. | MS 13 | A Mara Salvatrucha gang member |
| 6. | Aryan Brotherhood | An Aryan Brotherhood gang member |
| 7. | Five-point crown | The Latin Kings gang member |
| 8. | The cobweb | A prisoner who feels like a spider trapped in a web |
| 9. | Three-dot triangle pattern | Represents the phrase "my crazy life" |
| 10. | Nuestra Familia (NF) tattoo | A Nuestra Familia gang member |
| 11. | Five dots tattoo | An inmate within the four prison walls |
| 12. | La Eme | A Mexican Mafia gang member |
| 13. | Playing cards | An inmate looking for a romantic partner |
| 14. | ACAB | One's willingness to serve prison for a gang |
| 15. | EWMN | Represents the words "Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty" |
| 16. | A cross on the chest | A member of a high-ranking gang |
| 17. | Chains | A gang's symbol of unity and integration |
| 18. | Rose with thorns | An inmate who has served a lengthy jail term |
| 19. | A knife through the neck | An assassin available for hire |
| 20. | Cat tattoos | A thief or burglar |
If you are curious about the meanings behind common prison tattoos to avoid, below is a breakdown of the unique tattoo designs with their hidden messages:
1. The lock and key - a BGF gang member
Source: Instagram
The lock and key tattoo can symbolize the eternal love in the outside world, but it is a sign of affiliation to the Black Guerrilla Family, an African-American gang. Many members of the BGF gang have a lock and key tattoo to show their loyalty and commitment to the lifestyle.
2. 1488 - a white separatist
Source: Facebook
The number 1488 tattoo is popular with white supremacist inmates. Fourteen represents fourteen words from the quote by white separatist David Lane: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children." 88 is shorthand for the 8th letter of the alphabet twice, HH, representing Heil Hitler.
3. Teardrop - a murder
Source: Instagram
A teardrop is one of the most common prison face tattoos. Its meaning varies as it can represent a lengthy prison sentence or a person who has murdered others. If the wearer has a teardrop outline, it can symbolize an attempted murder or revenge for a murdered member.
4. Clock face without hands - a prisoner with a long jail term
Source: Facebook
A clock face with no hands tattoo represents serving a lengthy prison sentence. Clock faces can take various forms, such as the face of a wall clock or a grandfather clock. However, not all clock tattoos are prison tattoos, only those without the clock hands.
5. MS 13 - a Mara Salvatrucha gang member
Source: Instagram
MS 13, sometimes seen just as MS or 13, symbolises the Mara Salvatrucha gang from El Salvador. Examples of the gang's body art include the laughing and crying clown faces or masks tattooed on the body. These unique tattoos represent the "laugh now, cry later" mantra associated with the gang lifestyle. MS 13 members get tattoos in visible areas such as the face, hands, or neck.
6. Aryan Brotherhood - an Aryan Brotherhood gang member
Source: Twitter
The Aryan Brotherhood tattoos can also be called Alice Baker, the One-Two, or the Brand. This brotherhood prison gang has a variety of tattoos, ranging from 'AB' to swastikas or SS bolts. Due to their ideologies of white supremacy, violence, and racism, the Aryan Brotherhood tattoos are designs you should avoid.
7. Five-point crown - the Latin Kings gang member
Source: Instagram
If you are looking for prison tattoo ideas, the five-point crown is a design you want to avoid. In prison, it symbolises affiliation to the Latin Kings gangs from the USA. The Latin Kings are among the most significant Hispanic gangs based in Chicago, and their gang tattoo features the five-point crown with the acronym ALKN (Almighty Latin Kings Nation).
8. The cobweb - a prisoner who feels like a spider trapped in a web
Source: Instagram
In most parts of the world, the cobweb tattoo signifies a lengthy prison term. The body art symbolises criminals trapped behind bars like spiders trap prey in the web. One of the most common placements of the cobweb tattoos is around the elbow region.
9. Three-dot triangle pattern - represents the phrase "my crazy life"
Source: Instagram
The three-dot triangular pattern is among the most common prison art tattoo designs to avoid. It is a code body art representing the phrase "mi vida loca" or "my crazy life" and is generally associated with the gang lifestyle. The most common placement of the three-dot tattoo is on the hands or around the eyes.
10. Nuestra Familia (NF) tattoo - a Nuestra Familia gang member
Source: UGC
The Norteño tattoo is prevalent in the Nuestra Familia, a Hispanic gang from Northern California. The body art includes the words Norteño, Nuestra Familia, a sombrero symbol, the letters NF, or the number 14 (symbolizing the 14th letter of the alphabet).
11. Five dots tattoo - an inmate within the four prison walls
Source: Instagram
The five-dot tattoo represents time spent in prison. The four dots on the outside represent four prison walls, and the fifth on the inside represents the prisoner. The most common placement point of the tattoo is on the hand between the thumb and forefinger.
12. La Eme - a Mexican Mafia gang member
Source: Facebook
The La Eme, or the M, is one of the most common Mexican prison tattoos. The initials "EME" represent the Mexican Mafia, and the "713" tattooed on the subject's skull represents the Houston area code. The number 13 stands for "M", the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, for "Mexican Mafia". The dots around the number "13" are familiar among members of the Mexican Mafia.
13. Playing cards - an inmate looking for a romantic partner
Source: Instagram
The tattoo of the playing cards is a popular body art in Russian prisons; each card suit has meaning. The spade suit symbolizes criminals, the diamond suit represents an informant, and the heart suit means someone is looking for a romantic partner. The last two suits, diamond and heart, are usually forcibly applied.
14. ACAB - one's willingness to serve prison for their crew or gang
Source: Facebook
The initials ACAB are familiar in most British prisons and are an acronym for "All Cops Are Bastards." The most common placement area for this tattoo is on the knuckles. The ACAB body art symbolizes one's willingness to serve prison time for one's crew or gang.
15. EWMN - represents the words "Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty"
Source: UGC
The acronym EWMN is one of the oldest prison tattoos popularized by American actor Robert Mitchum in The Night of the Hunter in 1955. The letters represent "Evil, Wicked, Mean, Nasty" and have no known affiliation with any criminal gang.
16. Cross on the chest - a member of a high-ranking gang
Source: Instagram
The cross on the chest is one of the most common Russian prison chest tattoos. It symbolizes the "prince of thieves" and is reportedly reserved for high-ranking members of various crime organizations.
17. Chains - a gang's symbol of unity and integration
Source: Instagram
Chains feature prominently in many prison tattoos, especially in most black gangs. Though not affiliated with known gangs, the chain body art symbolizes unity and integration. On the other hand, images of a broken chain can represent freedom or overcoming the odds.
18. Rose with thorns - an inmate who has served a lengthy jail term
Source: Instagram
The rose with thorns tattoo is typical in men's and women's prisons. In most countries, the flower tattoo signifies serving many years in prison, with some Russian and Asian gangs using it to signify serving at least eighteen years of imprisonment.
19. Knife through the neck - an assassin available for hire
Source: Instagram
In Russian prisons, a knife through the neck tattoo means the wearer is a killer or is available for hire as an assassin. In most cases, it is a visual curriculum vitae of one's accomplishments and their availability as guns for hire.
20. Cat tattoos (Russia) - a thief or burglar
Source: Instagram
Cat tattoos are among the most common Russian prison tattoos, symbolizing one's career as a thief or burglar. This body art can also represent specific skills associated with the trade, such as pickpocketing, rage, agility, and cruelty.
Why do prisoners get so many tattoos?
Prisoners have many tattoos to establish identity or belonging to a group or gang. Among the most common reasons for prison tattoos is to signify membership, rank, or affiliation.
What is the most popular tattoo in prison?
Per Prison Writers, the phrases "Death before dishonor" and "Only God can judge me" are some of the most common prison tattoos.
What are the popular 5 tattoos and their meaning?
In jail, each tattoo carry a specific meaning related to gang affiliation, time served, or criminal activity. Popular examples include the five dots, teardrop, barbed wire, spiderweb, and certain numbers or symbols representing gangs or criminal behavior. Here is a breakdown of some common prison tattoos and their meanings:
- Five Dots: Often found on the hand between the thumb and forefinger, this tattoo represents the wearer being surrounded by prison. The four outer dots symbolize the walls of the prison, while the center dot represents the inmate.
- Teardrop: A teardrop tattoo can signify a murder, with a filled teardrop representing a completed murder and an unfilled one representing an attempted murder. The number of teardrops can also indicate the number of killings or a high-ranking position within a gang.
- Barbed Wire: A barbed wire tattoo can symbolize a life sentence without the possibility of parole, with each barb representing a year of the sentence.
- Spiderweb: A spiderweb tattoo, particularly on the elbow or back of the hand, can signify time served in prison or becoming entangled in gang life.
- Gang-Related Numbers/Symbols: Certain numbers or symbols are associated with specific gangs. For example, the number 13 (representing the letter M) is linked to the Mexican Mafia, and the five-point crown is a symbol of the Latin Kings. Numbers like 1488 are also associated with white supremacist groups.
What do the dots mean in prison tattoos?
The dots tattoo in prison is a sign that the wearer acknowledges their chaotic life, and is a sign of someone's affiliation with gang activity.
What does a 3 dots tattoo mean in jail?
A 3 dots tattoo on the hand means "mi vida loca" or "my crazy life". It's often associated with gang life, particularly in Latino communities, but can also represent a more general idea of a challenging life. The three dots are typically arranged in a triangular pattern, often on the hand or near the eye.
What does the tattoo 777 mean?
In a jail or prison context, a 777 tattoo can have multiple meanings, including a symbol of good luck, a representation of a lengthy prison sentence, or a declaration of having committed murder. It can also signify seeking revenge for a murdered friend or viewing life as a gamble. The meaning can vary based on location and specific prison subculture.
What does a 13 tattoo mean in prison?
In prison and jail, the number 13 tattoo is primarily associated with the Sureños gang and their affiliation with the Mexican Mafia. The number 13 represents the 13th letter of the alphabet, "M", which is a reference to the Mexican Mafia, also known as "EME". Sureños use this symbol to show their allegiance to this powerful prison gang.
What is a crown tattoo's meaning in trafficking?
Crown tattoos are used by traffickers to “mark” their girls as their property. This serves the same purpose as a farmer's brand being placed on an animal; it signifies who the owner is. The tattoo may be of a crown, a rose, the trafficker's name, a dollar sign, or have some indication that they are for sale.
What is the meaning of a 5-point crown tattoo?
In the context of jail, the tattoo typically signifies membership in the Latin Kings gang. It's a symbol of the gang, often accompanied by the letters ALKN, which stands for Almighty Latin Kings Nation. The five points on the crown are associated with the "People Nation" gang alliance, which the Latin Kings are affiliated with.
What is the meaning of a teardrop tattoo under the right eye?
In prison culture, a teardrop tattoo under the right eye can signify the loss of a loved one, whether a family member or a fellow gang member, or it can indicate a long prison sentence. It can also represent a deep personal sorrow or pain.
What is a 2 tear drop tattoo meaning?
In the context of prison, a two-teardrop tattoo can symbolize a few things, most commonly attempted murder or the loss of a close friend or family member. It can also represent the wearer seeking revenge for a murdered friend, or even indicate that they have served a lengthy prison sentence. The teardrop tattoo is a powerful symbol, and its meaning can vary based on location and individual interpretation within the prison system.
The most common prison tattoos have hidden meanings, and it's best to avoid them if you want to get some body art done. The above guide will help you determine if the tattoo you intend to get is safe.
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Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a Diploma in ICT and has over four years of experience in SEO writing. Christopher specialises in lifestyle and entertainment coverage, with a focus on biographies, life hacks, gaming, and guides. He has completed the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques (2023) and earned the Google News Initiative Certificate (2024). In recognition of his work, he was named Yen Writer of the Year in 2024. You can connect with him via email at chrisndetei@gmail.com.
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