The Real Meanings Behind Some Of The Most Common Prison Tattoos

Life behind bars isn’t something that many people experience in their lives. However, it’s something that’s kept plenty of people intrigued over the years. There are countless documentaries and books about life on the inside, but what about the things that are lesser known?

The meanings behind some of prison’s most infamous and dangerous tattoos go to show just how much happens behind bars. From secret meanings to more apparent messages and everything in between, it seems some ink is far from what it appears on the surface.

Teardrop tattoos can mean ending someone’s life or assault behind bars

Some prison tattoos are more famous than others, with the teardrop tattoo being one of the most recognizable of them all. However, have you ever stopped to think about what they actually mean? It turns out it varies, depending on the prisoner and their story about how they ended up in prison and what happens behind bars.

Oftentimes, a teardrop tattoo means that someone has ended another person’s life or at least attempted to do so. Other times, especially if someone gets their teardrop tattoo when they are already in prison, it can mean that they have been assaulted while locked up. Whether or not the teardrop is filled in can also make a difference.

The Latin Kings use a five-point crown to show their allegiance

Plenty of gang members find themselves in prison. The Latin Kings are some of the most prominent Latino gangs in the US, especially in California. A lot of the time, the gang members will have tattoos that contain a crown with five points to signify their allegiance to the gang. This is often sometimes accompanied by ALKN.

These are far from random letters, as they stand for Almighty Latin Kings Nation and will mostly be found on someone’s neck or back. Most of the time, these will be tattooed on “kings” who have been sent to prison, with the five points on the crown standing for the People Nation Gang, a gang associated with the Latin Kings.

SS or cracker bolts are far from normal lightning bolts

To some, these prison tattoos might look like nothing more than lightning bolts. Sadly, they are far more sinister than they seem, as they are actually cracker or SS bolts. They are inked on the skin of people who associate with the National Socialist German Workers’ Party or those wanting to see white people have all the power.

A lot of the time, this is someone’s way of showing they want their race to rise up above the rest. However, the cracker bolts can often symbolize someone who has assaulted a member of another race. The symbol was inspired by World War II and has remained a part of this extreme group ever since.

Clown tattoos mean something different entirely in Brazil

While some people find clowns funny, others want to run from the hills as soon as they see them. What about clown tattoos tattooed on someone in prison? That’s something else entirely. If someone has a tattoo of two clown faces - one laughing and one crying - it’s all to likely symbolize the phrase “laugh now, cry later.”

Other times, the tattoos can mean “my happy life before and my sad life now” or even “play now, pay later,” depending on who has the tattoo. Still, that all changes when you head to Brazil. Here, if someone has a tattoo of a clown, it likely means they have ended the life of a police officer.

The Hells Angels have a way of telling people they’re in the motorcycle club

The Hells Angels are arguably the most famous motorcycle gang in the world. They typically ride Harley Davidsons and have around 3,500 members spread across several countries around the world. Still, they have often found themselves on the wrong side of the law and have tattoos to let people in prison know who they are.

If you see someone with “Angel forever, forever angel” or “AFFA” tattooed, there’s a good chance they are a part of the Hells Angels. If they have the tattoo and aren’t a part of the famous motorcycle gang, they could be in for a world of hurt when a true member finds out they have adopted the ink.

Prison Break inspired some inmates more than others

The drama show ‘Prison Break’ caught plenty of us off guard as we quickly fell in love with the show. While it might have been a fictional story, people couldn’t help but fall for the characters, especially Michael Scofield (played by Wentworth Miller), who tries to break his brother out of prison and clear his name.

While it might have been made up for the small screen, some inmates have been inspired by one part in particular: Michael’s tattoos that were actually an intricate escape plan to get out of prison. If someone is seen with ink like this behind bars, other inmates know they are likely seasoned criminals who might have a master plan.

The Latino Kings have subtle ink that hints at the gang’s other name

Some prison tattoos are more obvious than others, with the number 14 being one of the more obscure to see behind bars. However, plenty of inmates know what it means - and who it belongs to. That would be none other than a gang called the Norteño Gang. So why the number 14? That would be the 14th letter.

Instead of being obvious with their ink, several members of the Norteño Gang prefer something a little more subtle, often getting an ‘N’ that looks like the number 14. Of course, this can often anger members who believe white people should be the ones in power, as the 14 tattoo represents someone from another ethnicity, leading to several prison fights.

Spiderweb tattoos can show how long someone has been in prison

Believe it or not, but this prison tattoo once meant something else before it was adopted by people behind bars. For years, sailors would get spiderweb tattoos to show they had been on the sea for years and were ready to go home. Now, it has the same meaning, but for those who have been locked away for decades.

Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone can get a spiderweb tattoo. Some inmates claim that only those who have ended the lives of another inmate are worthy enough to get the ink. As if that wasn’t enough, plenty of people on the outside have fallen for the tattoo, with many civilians now wearing spiderweb tattoos of their own.

A three-leaf clover tattoo has nothing to do with luck in prison

Plenty of people are used to seeing four-leafed clovers as a sign of good luck. What about three-leaf clovers? These have a different meaning entirely and are nothing to do with the Irish sign for luck. In fact, some three-leaf clover tattoos are accompanied by the number ‘666’ - the sign of the devil - or ‘AB.’

Most of the time, these tattoos will be worn by people associated with the Aryan Brotherhood if they have ‘AB’ or other groups who associate themselves with people who want white people to be in power. Whatever the case, it’s a subtle way inmates tell others who they will mingle with - and who they won’t.

Barbed wire tattoos can represent how long someone has been behind bars

Barbed wire and prisons often go hand in hand. However, it wasn’t until World War II that these tattoos grew in popularity, especially for those who were captured by the enemy in the war. Now, it is used by all kinds of criminals and prisoners as a way to show they have been locked up for their crimes.

That’s not all, as some prisoners even use each barb as a way to represent how many years they have served. It’s a prison tattoo that’s particularly popular in Russia, but several civilians have started using barbed wire as a part of their own ink. Of course, this means some of the original meaning has been lost throughout the years.

The arrangement of five dots is important when it comes to prison tattoos

What might look like a simple dice tattoo to some can actually have very different meanings to people on the inside. The dots are arranged in a quincunx, meaning there are four dots in the imaginary corners of a square and one in the middle, and these tattoos are often found in between someone’s thumb and index finger.

It’s common for prisoners to use this as a way to show they are busy serving their sentence, with the four outer dots representing the four walls of their cell and the one in the middle being a trapped inmate. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s also a popular prison tattoo because it’s so easy to ink on someone while behind bars.

Seeing EWMN on someone’s knuckles usually serves as an instant warning

Plenty of prison tattoos have hidden meanings, even if it’s just an acronym. The letters ‘EWMN’ are no exception, as they stand for “evil, wicked, mean, and nasty.” Of course, it might be little surprise that prison guards often know they need to steer clear of these kinds of prisoners, as they often hold nothing back.

While plenty of prison tattoos are known to be related to specific gangs, this is actually one that any prisoner can wear without causing trouble among the rest of the inmates. In fact, plenty of gang members have the letters tattooed across their knuckles, so they are the first thing someone sees when they bunch their hand into a fist.

Prisoners with a 1488 tattoo want white people to have all the power

It’s not uncommon for people to get significant dates tattooed on their skin, but that’s far from what 1488 means. Instead, it has a hidden meaning that mainly only those behind bars or from certain groups recognize. It’s all to do with people who want white people to have the only power and stems from convicted felon David Lane.

The 14 part of it all references one of his most famous quotes, consisting of 14 words, that talks about securing “the existence of our people” and “the beauty of the White Aryan woman.” The 88 refers to the eighth letter of the alphabet - H - standing for HH, aka a saying from Germany in World War II.

Crown tattoos mean different things depending on where they are

Crown tattoos are a popular addition to many people’s ink collection, but they have a very different meaning behind bars depending on where they are and what crown they resemble. If someone has a crown tattoo on their finger where a ring would usually sit, it could mean they want to show their loyalty, love, and friendship.

The crown tattoos are often reserved for members of the same gang or inmates who grow particularly close to one another while behind bars. It’s only when they feel a particularly strong friendship and want to cement their brotherhood that inmates will typically show their faithfulness, knowing others with the tattoo are also loyal to their close friends.

Epaulet prison tattoos can have hidden meanings within the shoulder pieces

When we think of epaulets - the addition found on the shoulders of several high-ranking uniforms to show someone’s rank - there’s a good chance we think of those who serve in uniform. These could be people from the military, police officers, or even captains. There’s usually not much difference when they’re tattooed on someone’s shoulders, but they’re not to show rank.

Instead, these types of prison tattoos are mostly seen in Russia, where they let other inmates know someone is in the Russian mob. In fact, the epaulets show that a prisoner is part of the Thieves in Law, with some having a portrait of their captain in the mob and others opting for a skull if they’ve ended someone’s life.

Russian gangsters allegedly influenced using crosses to signify ranking

Crosses aren’t just a way for someone to show their devotion to their faith, especially when it comes to some of the more obscure prison inkings. Crosses have long been linked to gangs, with the size of the cross telling a lot about where someone ranks in the gang - the bigger the cross, the higher up they are.

Like plenty of other prison tattoos, the idea of using a cross to signify where someone ranks in a gang stemmed from Russia. As plenty of Russian gangsters have been sent behind bars around the world, the news of their cross tattoos and their meanings allegedly spread pretty quickly among inmates and were soon used worldwide.

Each suit has its own meaning in Russian prisons

Gambling has long been associated with playing cards, and people who love to risk it all in the hopes of bringing home the big bucks have been known to ink their commitment on their skin permanently. In fact, some inmates turn to gambling while behind bars and will get a new prison tattoo as a result of their new passion.

Then there are Russian prisons, where each suit already has its own meaning. Anyone working as an informant will typically have a diamond card, while the heart cards are reserved for those looking for love behind bars. The clubs are used to show general criminals, and any spade cards usually mean someone is a thief.

A dagger through the neck could mean someone has lost their life or taken others

Anyone with a dagger or knife seemingly pierced through their neck might be enough to raise a few eyebrows, but you might want to keep an even bigger distance between you and them if you know they have been to prison. That’s because this prison tattoo is used to tell other inmates they have ended someone’s life.

The twist? The tattoo typically means they would be willing to do it again, with some inmates using the ink as a way to tell others they’re available for hire. If the tattoo comes with drops of blood, there’s even a chance it could represent how many lives they have taken, or they have lost their own life to prison.

Russian Mafia members have been known to have faces and roses tattooed while in prison

It turns out some people might want to think twice before having a woman’s portrait tattooed on their chest. At least, that could be the case if you live in Russia, as that’s where one more unusual prison tattoo originated. It’s said that people with women’s faces - mostly on their chest - tend to belong to the Russian Mafia.

That’s not all. People who don’t want to have a face tattooed on their chests have been known to get a rose instead. It’s unclear why either symbol is used and is one of the more unusual inkings. Plus, with so many people having portraits or roses now, it can be tough to know if they have a hidden meaning.

The Mara Salvatrucha Gang has its own way of telling other inmates they are members

Some gangs have more rules than others. The Mara Salvatrucha Gang is one, with members only allowed to join when they turn 13 years old, and it’s this that serves as inspiration for part of their famous prison tattoo. While some opt for ‘MS13,’ others have just ‘MS’ or ‘13’ tattooed somewhere to show their allegiance to the gang.

Most of the time, members of the Mara Salvatrucha Gang have their prison tattoos inked somewhere that’s most obvious to others, such as their hands, faces, neck, or even across their entire back. As well as showing others that they are a part of the famous El Salvidor gang, it also lets other members know they will protect each other.

Getting Stalin or Lenin tattooed was meant to protect some prisoners from the guards

While some prison tattoos are there to warn others about their gang affiliation or what crimes they have committed, others are meant to protect inmates from coming to harm. Back in the 1900s, many prisoners in the USSR thought that having Stalin or Lenin tattooed on their chests would help them be protected from the guards.

The idea was that the guards wouldn’t want to shoot their leaders, so if they got them tattooed, they would be safe. Sadly for the prisoners, their idea didn’t work. Most of the time, the guards would merely ask the prisoners to turn around and would shoot them in the back of the head instead.

The number of chains in a chain tattoo can have another meaning

When you think of prison, what comes to mind? There’s a chance that being locked up - and therefore, chains - might be near the top of the list. For years, tattoos of chains have been used to show solitude, being kept against someone’s will, and being repressed. However, things have changed, and prisoners have given them a new meaning.

Nowadays, chains are typically used by inmates to show that they were once behind bars, but they have since been released. These can even be customized if needed, with some former inmates using the number of chains in the link to represent the number of years they spent behind bars before getting their freedom back.

The lack of hands on the clock is a common aspect of one prison tattoo

For most, clocks are used to track the time of day. However, being behind bars is a very different experience. Although some prisoners know how to keep up with the days, others lose all track of the year, including what time of day it is, as they serve out their sentence. That’s where the handless clock tattoo comes in.

This is one of the more common prison tattoos, with the no hands on the clock showing that the wearer has lost their grip on what time it is in the real world. Of course, this can be done in all kinds of styles. While some prisoners opt for intricate clocks, others prefer something resembling a wristwatch with no hands.

The Black Guerrilla Family has given key tattoos new meaning behind bars

There are plenty of times in life when a key stands for a monumental moment in someone’s life. After all, different cultures tend to have various ages when they give young people a key to the home, signifying they have become an adult and have more responsibilities. The same can’t be said for every inmate with a key tattoo.

Instead, it could be a sign that someone is linked to the Black Guerrilla Family. What started as a prison gang has since spread to the streets, with the gang initially wanting to fight against those in power as they tried to get more rights for African-Americans. The key is now supposed to represent unlocking all of those solutions.

Two rival gangs have been known to share the same three-dot tattoo

It turns out that getting dots are prison tattoos might be more common than some people realize, with three dots making regular appearances on the hands of gang members. It’s said the dots stand for “Mi vida loca,” which roughly translates to “My crazy life” in English. While it represents gang life, it’s not tied to one gang in particular.

The three-dot tattoo is most commonly associated with the Norteños and their rivals, the Sureños. The two gangs dominate California, with the Norteños ruling the north of the state and the Sureños taking Southern California. While both gangs have their own affiliated tattoos, you might see some members with the same ink every now and then.

The Norteños have several ways to tell others they are a part of the gang

Just because they share some of the same tattoos doesn't mean that all of them are the same. Instead, the Norteños are known to have a lengthy history and want their members to stand out, especially in prison. In fact, the gang was formed in prison as they took a stance against La Eme, also known as the Mexican Mafia.

For years, the Mafia was known to protect Latino prisoners, but the creators of the Norteños believed they were being treated unfairly and started their own gang. Now, many of the members ink their skin with all kinds of designs and symbols, such as 'N,' '14,' or 'XIV' - all meaning the 14th letter of the alphabet.

Cats have long been the inspiration for thieves behind bars in Russia

Let’s face it; cats are some of the most adorable pets out there, even if they can be pretty aloof. Still, that’s not all they have to their name, with the animals also known to hunt silently and use their patience to get what they want. That’s why cats have long been associated with thieves, especially behind bars.

Russia is where you might find a lot of these tattoos, with inspiration from the character Puss in Boots often helping several artists with their work. To top things off, cats are known to dislike authority and be pretty stubborn, with some Russian criminals getting the word ‘Kot,’ Russian for ‘Cat,’ to show the reason they’re behind bars.

There are stories about tattoos of eyes showing someone will get revenge behind bars

Perhaps you have heard the saying an eye for an eye? It already has a bit of a sinister ring to it, but things only get worse when you start turning it into inspiration for a prison tattoo. The idea of the saying is to get revenge on someone that’s equal to the way they wronged you.

The problem? People behind bars often take this one step further. Although there is no evidence that people with tattoos of eyes in prison use their ink as a way to warn others that they won’t hold back if they’re wronged, plenty believe this is the case. In fact, some inmates will avoid those with tattoos of eyes altogether.

A tattoo of Madonna and her child can mean something different to various inmates

It turns out some prison tattoos come with a host of different meanings, with Madonna and her child being one on the list. There are plenty of ways that inmates have this tattooed, with most having Madonna cuddling her child. In some cases, inmates view the mother as a representation of prison and the child as the inmate.

Other times, inmates who have been locked up from a young age might refer to themselves as ‘children of prison’ and get this ink to show how long they have been locked away. Then there are the inmates who use Madonna and her child as a way to ward off any evil energy and protect themselves while in prison.

A tattoo of a weapon behind bars could mean someone is a dangerous criminal

Some nations might not be so surprised that the US is the place where having tattoos of weapons is most common. After all, the US is known for its right to bear arms, but getting a tattoo of a weapon might not necessarily be because someone loves them more than most other things in the world.

For some prisoners, it means that they were involved in a crime with a weapon, and that’s why they’re behind bars. For others, it means that they are dangerous criminals, as the weapons are known to be tough to handle and unpredictable. Whatever the case, they are often the inmates that others want to avoid.

Various animals have various meanings in prison

Plenty of people have heard about what different animals mean in different cultures. However, have you ever thought about what animals mean when they’re tattooed on prisoners? It turns out there could be more to the portraits than someone wanting to show off their favorite animal or hoping to add to their collection of ink.

For example, having a tattoo of a wolf can show that someone is a leader, especially in a gang. A tattoo of a bull could mean that someone is a fighter and won’t go down easily. Then there are tattoos of lions, often meaning someone is incredibly powerful. Of course, these can also have different meanings depending on location.

Russian prisoners can use cathedrals to document how long they’ve been in prison

The Kremlin is one of the most famous areas in Russia and is home to a host of important buildings, including several cathedrals. As well as being an incredible example of architecture, the Kremlin has seemingly also served as inspiration for some Russian inmates when it comes to their prison tattoos, especially when it comes to the roofs.

If an inmate has spent several years behind bars, they might add more intricate roofs to their cathedral to document each one. Of course, being such a large addition to the collection usually means these inkings have to go somewhere pretty bare, such as someone’s back and chest if they really want them to stand out.

The Valknut tattoo has seen a resurgence in the last few years

While some prison tattoos have been around for decades, others are more recent additions to the list. The Valknut is a mixture of both. The symbol is made from three triangles that are interlocked and intertwined and actually stems from Norse mythology. Here, the Vikings used it as a way to honor those they lost.

Specifically, Vikings would use the Valknut to honor those who lost their lives in battle, but it has since seen a revival in the last two decades behind bars. Some use the symbol as a sign of reincarnation and the three interlocking cycles of life. Then there are the extreme groups who use it as a brotherhood against other ethnicities.

Russian thieves are known to favor an eight-pointed star in various locations

Some inmates want to serve their time and then leave life in prison behind them as they move on from their life of crime. Then there are others who wear their past proudly, even if it lets other criminals know how they broke the law. People with the thief star are in the latter group.

The eight-pointed star is almost exclusively reserved for thieves working in Russia, but that’s not all about this tattoo. It turns out that the higher the thief star is on someone’s arms, the more authority they have in their criminal group. On the other hand, if the tattoo is on someone’s knees, they won’t bend to anyone - especially police officers.

A skull tattoo in prison means someone isn’t afraid of the guards

Skulls have long been associated with someone losing their life for perhaps obvious reasons. However, when it comes to prison tattoos, that’s not necessarily the case. Instead, plenty of inmates get these tattoos as a way to show others - particularly the guards - that they’re not afraid of them. However, not just anyone is allowed to get these tattoos.

It’s said that inmates have to earn their skull tattoos by challenging a guard, with some extreme people using them as a way to show their allegiance to the thought that white people should have all the power. Whatever the case, these skulls can be tattooed anywhere, including on someone’s neck or over their own face.

Roses, tulips, and other flowers all come with their own meanings

Flowers might have romantic meanings in the rest of the world, but that doesn’t mean that prison inmates want to show their feelings if they get roses or tulips inked on their skin while behind bars. It’s actually a way to show other people they were incarcerated for a crime before they turned 18 years old.

Like so many other prison tattoos, getting roses and tulips are popular with inmates in Russia, especially as many young inmates are more likely to join prison gangs as the years pass or they are reincarcerated. In Asian prisons, some inmates use different flowers as a way to tell who belongs to which prison gang.

People with extreme views might tattoo skinhead on themselves while behind bars

As if having a shaved head wasn’t enough, you might find someone has the word ‘Skinhead’ tattooed somewhere on their body, usually on their face or their head. Like many other prison tattoos, this is typically a design that is reserved for people who believe in extreme views of white people having all the power.

Of course, these people typically want the world to see their ink, which is why they make sure ‘Skinhead’ is as prominent as it can be. To top things off, many of these members will also cover their bodies in other tattoos linked to the views. Whatever the case, they are usually some pretty dangerous inmates.

Inmates with a hooded executioner have typically ended multiple lives

Like it or not, prisons typically have a strict hierarchy behind doors - and we’re not talking about the relationship between the guards and the inmates. Instead, it’s often down to what type of crime someone has committed and how dangerous they could be, even though they’re now on the inside and serving out their sentence.

Someone with a hooded executioner could be one of the most dangerous. It’s common for people who end the lives of more than one person from the same family to get the ink as a memento. On the other hand, some gang members will forcibly tattoo this on someone who goes against the gang and works with the police.

A spider’s direction dictates whether someone is still a criminal or not

Although they can often be seen alongside spiderweb tattoos, getting ink of a spider has a different meaning. However, it all depends on how the spiders are placed and where they are tattooed on someone’s body, with most inmates opting for a spider on their elbow or shoulder, as they can be seen easily by others.

If a criminal is still working, the spider will crawl up their body. If they have retired, the spider will be crawling down. Of course, this means that the prison tattoos often need to be altered when someone’s life changes, but that seemingly isn’t an issue for inmates who have their own ways of creating DIY tattoos while behind bars.