Considering a Gangsta Tattoo?
Posted by Tattooaholic
There is more than a hint of danger to gangsta tattoos. It is the danger, or the trouble already seen, that they imply that makes them so fascinating to people who had certain experiences and those who can identify with that type of life. Gangsta tattoos can represent highs and lows in a person’s life either figuratively or literally. For example, a prison tattoo might appeal to someone who has done time, but it might also be attractive to another person who is merely felt imprisoned in some way.
Gangsta tattoos’ first incarnation was in prisons across the US and UK. The ink was usual not standard and often ran. It was generally blue and created with whatever materials were available to the inmates and yet some truly incredible imagery and symbolism were achieved by the incarcerated artists. Some of the symbols found in prison included clock faces with hands standing for doing time, tombstones with numbers indicating the number of years they would do in prison, tombstone with numbers and RIP meant they were mourning the death of a friend, an eight ball symbolizing bad luck, a spider web on the elbows or shoulders meaning they were behind bars, and the face of a female crying indicated that someone was waiting for them on the outside.
Gangsta tattoo started with representations of gang members showing solidarity with those in prison. Hip Hop and urban contemporary art brought tattoos in general a boost of interest by the general public. Where once only gang members, bikers and military types visited a tattoo artist, the trend has now drawn celebrities, college students and folks in business attire. The gangsta tattoo has become very popular with new symbols showing this change.
Snakes represent battles, inner strength and hard-learned lessons about life. They can be found wound around arms, wrists and ankles.
Tear drops are another symbol taken from prisons across the U.S., They are meant to mean the wearer committed a murder, but can also indicate the loss of a loved one. In the case of murder the number of tears shows the number of victims.
Angel tattoos are for those who live in dark places who want a little light on their side. Angel’s wings connote the same thing.
Gun tattoos are very popular, since they indicate strength, violence and a willingness to do whatever it takes to survive and succeed.
Rosary tattoos are very clearly about faith. They make a dramatic tattoo, especially if the beads are wrapped around a wrist, arm or bicep.
R.I.P. tattoos are used by gang members who have experienced the loss of a friend or relative to the life of violence. This is usually a simple, stark and powerful tattoo showing R.I.P the name of the deceased and the date of death.
It is important to note that in the case of gang symbolism it can be dangerous to have the colors, initials, names or images associated with a gang tattooed if you have no associations with this gang.
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