Tear
This tattoo is one of the most famous in the prison world and can have various meanings. Most often, if you see a prisoner with a tear tattooed under his eye, it means that he is serving a long sentence or has already committed a murder. In this context, the tear symbolizes grief and sorrow for the mother of the murdered person.
The tattoo can also mean that the person attempted murder or that the prisoner’s friend was murdered and he wants revenge.
Essentially, a tear filled with ink means that the prisoner already has at least one crime behind them, and with each subsequent murder, a new tear is added.
If
the tear is not filled, it may mean that the “work” is not yet finished – the prisoner expresses a desire for revenge after the death of a loved one, friend, or even a roommate. This indicates that he does not feel vengeful and that only when he has fulfilled this goal will he be able to “fill his tear” and sleep peacefully… in his cell.
Many rappers and celebrities have popularized this prison tattoo to look like tough guys and rebels.
The inscription ACAB
This is a British tattoo that means “All cops are bastards” (“All cops are bastards”).
Clock without hands
A clock without hands symbolizes time spent in prison. It is suitable for prisoners with life sentences or extremely long sentences. This is a way to show that time is frozen and relentlessly dragging on. For prisoners who wear such a tattoo, time has lost its value and is no longer important.
This image is usually found on the bodies of life-sentenced prisoners who do not want to count the days behind bars. The clock without hands symbolizes the meaningless and wasted life of those awaiting execution.
In addition, a watch tattoo can take different forms: a pocket watch, a wall clock, or even a watch without a strap.
The History and Meaning of Tattoos
Tattoos have been a form of graphic expression since ancient times, similar to tribal tattoos that denote clan affiliation. They are also a body decoration loved by millions of people from different regions, cultures, and social classes.
Beyond their aesthetic value, tattoos reveal many other aspects and permeate every environment. They appear on the streets and infiltrate prisons; they adorn rap music and sports stars; they become a means of discrimination or distinction, but they always carry with them the scent of sulfur, rebellion and non-conformity.
And while tattooing is commonplace today, it was originally a practice of minorities, the marginalized, and even metal or punk fans. But in a prison environment, tattoos take on a completely different meaning.
What do these tattoos mean?
