2006-12-20 08:11:47 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Beauty & Style ➔ Skin & Body ➔ Tattoos
1. tear drop tattoo 40 up, 8 down
the tear drop tattoo has had many different meanings. When they were first worn they meant that the wearer had been incarcerated and or killed someone while in or out of prison. As times have changed however, the teardrop has come to symbolize a friend or fellow gang member or family member that has died while the wearer is incarcerated.
Now however the teardrop seems to have become a fad, which granted has gotten people in trouble.
It has also been used as a gang identifier. If it was on the right it meant you were a Crip or part of the Folk Nation, on the left meant Blood or People's Nation.
2006-12-20 08:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 7⤊ 0⤋
The teardrop tattoo is said to have originated with Hispanic gangs in California in the 1940's. Others have said that it originated in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Regardless of the origin, over the years, the tattoo has evolved in appearance and meaning. Originally believed to mean that the wearer had served time in prison, teardrops now mean a variety of things. They can mean that the wearer has killed someone or that they've lost a family member or fellow gang member. They may also mean that the wearer has done, or is doing, prison time. The prison time may range from one to ten years. Also, the Folks and People Nations, two alliances of many gangs, identify everything either to their right or left sides, respectively. The teardrop may be used by persons to identify themselves as a gang member and to show the members allegiance to one nation or the other. Additionally, and unfortunately, many of today’s youths think it is “cool” to emulate what the gangs do. It is a way of showing off for some. As a fad or fashion statement, many have begun to wear the teardrop tattoo which in some areas automatically marks them incorrectly as a gang member. Also, some celebrities not connected with gangs, have gotten the tattoo for their own reasons. It is being said that inmates in the Australian penal system, who are child molesters or sexual predators, are forcibly being tattooed with the tear drop tattoo to alert others to the heinous crime committed by the person. Today there are two traditional, very distinct teardrop tattoos. Depending on the meaning and the particular group, the teardrop may, or may not, be filled in. The tattoo may simply be the outline of a teardrop and is referred to as an open teardrop. The filled in teardrop is referred to as a closed teardrop. What means one thing to one person may mean something totally different to someone else. What matters as much, or more than the tattoo, is the context in which it is worn. Is it being worn in memory of someone? Is it being worn as a reminder to others that the wearer is a murderer? Or is it being worn out of sheer stupidity? A third type of tear drop tattoo is now being reported. It is described as a "half" tear drop which is only half filled in with ink. It is supposed to symbolize the fact that someone close to the wearer was killed and the wearer then killed the murderer. One thing to remember. No one can look at a teardrop tattoo and state positively that the tattoo has a specific meaning. As stated above, there are multiple meanings and only the wearer knows the reason he or she is wearing the tattoo.
2016-03-13 08:58:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've heard on several different tv shows that it means they have murdered some one. I'm not positive if this is true in every case- and I think its only if the teardrop is red and where a normal tear would be.
2006-12-21 07:14:57 · answer #3 · answered by bethieb163 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A teardrop means that you have killed someone. It's a gang thing.
2006-12-20 08:14:27 · answer #4 · answered by IknowEVERYTHING 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a person with a tattoo of a teardrop on their face means they killed someone. Every teardrop they have means how many people they have killed.
2006-12-20 09:24:31 · answer #5 · answered by Angie <3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gang members usually use the teardrop tattoo to indicate they murdered someone. It's a sign of status that tells others, "Don't screw with me.".
2006-12-20 08:20:12 · answer #6 · answered by Gary D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people get them in prison, it means that they have killed someone. I'm not sure about people who have them done by a tattoo artist.
2006-12-20 08:22:56 · answer #7 · answered by sdarp1322 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my uncle has 1 filled in teardrop and 2 empty teardrops representimg death while he was incarcerated.
2006-12-21 06:33:47 · answer #8 · answered by lonelygirl13309 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's supposed to mean that they've killed somebody... but a lot of people have them bc i think that they think it makes them look like a bad ***.
2006-12-20 08:14:12 · answer #9 · answered by 1liter duc eater 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
With gang members, an empty tear is in honor of a fallen gang member that has be killed. A solid tear, is not only in honor of the fallen gang member, but indication that someone was killed in return.
2006-12-20 08:20:01 · answer #10 · answered by Mr Cellophane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋