Gang Tattoos: Decoding the Symbols of Power and Affiliation Behind Bars

In the stark world of prison, where conformity is the norm, tattoos emerge as a powerful form of individual expression and group identity. It’s estimated that around 90% of prison inmates sport tattoos, and while motivations vary, a significant reason is survival. Looking tough can dictate your experience inside, and in this environment, a tattoo can speak volumes. Among the myriad of designs etched onto skin, Gang Tattoos hold a particularly potent significance. These are not just decorations; they are declarations of allegiance, visual manifestos of power, and intricate codes understood within the complex hierarchy of prison gangs.

Gang tattoos are a distinct category within prison ink, serving as visual identifiers that broadcast gang affiliation, rank, and beliefs. They are far more than mere body art; they are a language spoken through symbols, numbers, and letters, understood within the closed society of incarcerated individuals and often carrying weight and consequences both inside and outside prison walls. This article delves into the world of gang tattoos, exploring their meanings, the common symbols employed by different groups, and the complex culture surrounding this often misunderstood form of body modification.

The Purpose and Power of Gang Tattoos

Gang tattoos function as a visual shorthand in the prison environment, immediately communicating crucial information about an individual. They serve multiple purposes, all intertwined with the dynamics of power and survival within prison society:

Declaration of Allegiance: The most fundamental purpose of a gang tattoo is to declare unwavering loyalty to a specific gang. Wearing gang colors or symbols on your skin is a permanent advertisement of your affiliation, making it clear where your loyalties lie in the often dangerous and divided world inside.
Intimidation and Respect: In prison, perception is reality. Gang tattoos contribute to a tough exterior, projecting an image of strength and affiliation that can deter potential threats and command a certain level of respect (or fear) from both rival gang members and the general inmate population.
Internal Communication: Gang tattoos act as a form of communication within the gang itself. They can signify rank, achievements, or specific roles within the gang hierarchy. They can also serve as a way to identify fellow members, fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging in a hostile environment.
External Signaling (Post-Release): While primarily relevant within prison, gang tattoos can also carry significance upon release. They can signal continued gang affiliation in the outside world, though this can also be a double-edged sword, attracting unwanted attention from law enforcement or rival gangs.

It’s important to differentiate gang tattoos from other types of prison tattoos. While many inmates get tattoos related to their time served, their street life, or simply for personal expression, gang tattoos are specifically designed and intended to broadcast gang membership and ideology.

Decoding Gang Tattoo Symbolism: A Gang-by-Gang Breakdown

Each gang has developed its own unique visual language, utilizing specific symbols, numbers, letters, and colors to identify members and communicate their standing. Understanding these symbols is crucial to deciphering the complex world of gang tattoos.

Bloods Tattoos

The Bloods, one of the most notorious street gangs, are heavily identified by the color red and the number five. Common Bloods tattoos include:

Five-Pointed Star: This is arguably the most recognizable Bloods symbol. It signifies their affiliation and is often prominently displayed.
Number 5 or the Word “Five”: The number five itself, or simply the written word, is a clear identifier of Bloods membership.
Vice Lords (VLs) Star: As the Vice Lords are a gang under “the Five,” they also utilize the five-pointed star, further linking them to the broader Bloods network.
Five-Pointed Crown: Similar to the star, a crown with five points can also denote Bloods affiliation.
Color Red: While not a tattoo itself, the color red is strongly associated with the Bloods and is often incorporated into their tattoos or clothing choices when possible within prison restrictions.

Crips Tattoos

Rivaling the Bloods in notoriety, the Crips are associated with the color blue and the number six. Their common tattoos include:

Six-Pointed Star (Star of David): Ironically using a symbol with religious connotations outside of prison, the six-pointed star is a primary identifier for the Crips within the incarcerated world.
Number 6 or the Word “Six”: Like the Bloods with the number five, Crips use the number six and its written form to signify their gang.
Trident (Three-Pronged Trident): This symbol, often associated with Neptune or Poseidon in mythology, is another emblem adopted by the Crips.
Six-Pointed Crown: A crown with six points is another variation on their numerical symbolism.
Color Blue: The color blue is the Crips’ equivalent to the Bloods’ red, serving as a visual marker of their gang.

Aryan Brotherhood Tattoos

The Aryan Brotherhood (AB) is a prominent white prison gang known for its white supremacist ideology. Their tattoos often incorporate Nazi symbols, Norse mythology, and numerical codes:

Three-Leaf Clover (Shamrock) with 666: This symbol, often with the number of the beast incorporated, is a key identifier for the AB.
“AB” or “Ace-Deuce”: Acronyms and code words for the gang’s name are common. “Ace-Deuce” refers to A and B, the first two letters of the alphabet.
Ace and 2 Playing Cards: Visually representing “Ace-Deuce,” these playing cards are another AB symbol.
Nazi SS “Lightning Bolts”: This highly offensive symbol is generally reserved for high-ranking or “made” members who have proven their loyalty through violence, often against other races.
Viking/Norse Imagery (Thor’s Hammer, Valknut, Viking Warriors): Norse mythology, particularly figures like Thor and Odin, is co-opted by the AB to represent a “white warrior” ethos. While these symbols alone don’t automatically signify gang membership, in the prison context, they often indicate white supremacist leanings.
Swastika (and “Windowpane”): The swastika is an unambiguous symbol of hate and white supremacy. However, due to its highly restricted nature in prison, some inmates with swastika tattoos modify them into a “windowpane” (a box with an X) to avoid direct identification as a Security Threat Group, while still signaling their past affiliation.
Numerical Codes “14” and “88”: These numbers are coded white supremacist slogans. “14” refers to the “14 Words” slogan, and “88” is code for “Heil Hitler” (H being the 8th letter of the alphabet).

MS-13 (Mara Salvatrucha) Tattoos

MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, is a transnational gang with strong roots in Central America. Their tattoos are often directly related to the gang’s name and number:

“MS-13” or “Mara Salvatrucha”: Directly tattooing the gang’s name is a common and unambiguous declaration of membership.
Number “13”: The number 13, often written as XIII in Roman numerals, is a core identifier.
Gang Hand Sign (Devil Horns): Similar to a rock-and-roll “devil horns” hand gesture, this hand sign is a visual cue for MS-13 members.

Latin Kings Tattoos

The Latin Kings are one of the largest Latino gangs in the US, and their tattoos blend Latino cultural imagery with specific gang symbols:

Five-Pointed Star: Sharing the five-pointed star with the Bloods and Vice Lords, the Latin Kings also utilize this symbol.
Five-Pointed Crown: A crown with five points is another significant Latin Kings emblem.
“LK” or “ALKQN”: Acronyms for Latin Kings (LK) and Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation (ALKQN) are common tattoos.
King with Crown and World: Imagery depicting a robed king wearing a five-pointed crown and holding the world reinforces their “King” identity.

Other Gang Tattoos

Beyond these major gangs, many other groups utilize tattoos for identification. These include:

Latin Counts: Often tattoo the word “Count” to signify their affiliation.
Spanish Cobras: A cobra tattoo, particularly on a non-black inmate (where it may have different meanings), often represents the Spanish Cobras gang.

The Culture Beyond the Ink: Risks and Realities

Getting a gang tattoo is not a decision taken lightly within prison. It’s a permanent commitment with serious implications:

Increased Risk: Openly displaying gang tattoos can make an inmate a target for rival gangs and place them under increased scrutiny from prison authorities.
Difficulty Leaving the Gang: Once inked with gang symbols,脱离 affiliation becomes incredibly difficult, both inside and outside of prison. Tattoos are permanent, and former gang members may forever be associated with their past.
Prison Hustle: Interestingly, tattooing itself can be a lucrative (though highly risky and forbidden) hustle within prison. Inmates with tattooing skills can earn significant money providing tattoos, including gang tattoos, to other inmates.

Gang Tattoos: From Prison Yards to Pop Culture

Gang tattoos, once confined to the shadows of prison yards, have increasingly seeped into mainstream culture. Teardrop tattoos, once a stark indicator of having killed someone, have become diluted in meaning and are now seen on individuals with no gang affiliation. Gang symbols and styles are sometimes appropriated in fashion and entertainment, often without a full understanding of their loaded history and real-world consequences.

This cultural diffusion can lead to misconceptions and stereotypes, blurring the lines between genuine gang affiliation and superficial adoption of gang aesthetics. For those within the gang world, however, these symbols remain potent and carry real weight.

Conclusion: The Enduring Language of Gang Ink

Gang tattoos are a powerful and complex form of visual communication, deeply embedded within the culture of prison and street gangs. They are more than just ink on skin; they are declarations of loyalty, symbols of power, and a language understood within a specific and often dangerous world. Decoding these symbols offers a glimpse into the intricate social structures and power dynamics that govern gang life, both behind bars and beyond. While their meaning may be diluted or misinterpreted in popular culture, within their intended context, gang tattoos remain a stark and enduring testament to affiliation, identity, and the harsh realities of gang life.