by Lonewolf on Sun, Jul 27 2008, 9:05 PM
TEARDROPS
The teardrop tattoo has been developed across the United
States for decades now. There are two different types of
teardrop tattoos, the ones that are a colored in teardrops,
and the ones that are not colored in. Both types of teardrops
were developed in the prison system to symbolize the struggles
of the gangbanging prisoner. It is said that biker gangs were
the first gangs to use the teardrop tattoo, then street gangs
followed. The teardrop tattoo is not used by one specific
race of people, all types of races are seen with this marking.
The teardrops can come in different sizes but they are all
located in the same spot near the eye, which is right by the
outside corner of the eye. The teardrop was developed in the
penitentiary system as a possible symbol of a few things. The
non-colored in teardrop tattoo means that the gang member had
a family member or friend that was killed, and in prison they
tattooed the teardrop on instead of crying real tears, because
crying is prohibited in prison culture. The colored in
teardrop can symbolize one of two things: either it could mean
that it symbolizes a term in prison, or that they killed
someone while in prison or on the street. The fact that the
teardrop is always black in color symbolizes that the tattoo
has to do with death, whether it means death of someone the
gang member loved, or death of freedom due to incarceration,
or that they brought death to someone else deliberately. The
teardrop tattoo is used as a warning to the gang members’
enemies that they are dangerous and devoted to the gang. The
placement of the teardrop is essential with Chicago based FOLK
and PEOPLE nation gangs. The teardrop must be placed under
the left eye for PEOPLE nation gang members, while the
teardrop must be under the right eye for the FOLK nation
gangs. The teardrop tattoo has been used in Australia under
different pretenses. The teardrop tattoo in this country is
not used by gang members, but is instead forced upon sex
offenders. The teardrop symbolizes the eternal tear they are
going to cry from the beating of angry people that hate child
molesters. So if you are an American gang member with a
teardrop tattoo do not go to Australia or wear a band aid to
cover it up. There has been a recent rise in the number of
teardrop tattoos appearing on the streets. Many of these
recent teardrops appear in small time gang members that have
never seen a jail or prison cell or have never killed anyone.
This is a horribly alarming new trend that is frowned upon by
hardcore gang members. When a gang member will get a teardrop
tattoo without earning it, they will go to prison and be
tortured and possibly killed by inmates because of the false
tattoo. Close to 100% of the time the prison population will
know who has a fake one.
Written By: Zook