Tattoos: Why are they so important to gang members?

Tattoos are not as common a feature in black gangs as in Hispanic gangs, although white racist or skinhead gang members will sometimes sport tattoos with swastikas, crosses, demonic figures, or wording. Hispanic gang members typically display permanent tattoos of four types: their gang-given name, the name of their gang/gang logo/placazo, the name of a loved female (mother, girlfriend, child, Virgin Mary), artwork or meaningful images. Tattooed object images often have specific meaning.

A teardrop under one eye may mean that the wearer has killed someone, or lost a loved one as part of gang rivalry.

Three dots in a triangular configuration on the wrist, on the side of one finger, between the thumb and pointer finger, or next to one eye signifies "mi vida loca" ("my crazy life"). Other gangs have similar mottos related to the three dots such as: "Death Before Dishonor."

Four dots in similar locations signifies "my hood for life"/ "mi barrio por vida" or "mi barrio viene primero" -- "my 'hood comes first." More recently in the El Paso area, Hispanic gangs have stated that the four dots signifies "My (gang) family comes first."

Gangs from the Chicago area and some gangs with the name "Kings" in their gang name sometimes sport five or six dots along with crowns of five or six points.

Some gangs incorporate the use of pitchforks, crowns, or Native American/Mexican Indian figures in their tattoo drawings. Lettering with a member's gang name is often done in Old English or Gothic lettering and is often placed over the stomach area in lettering sometimes some five or more inches in height.

The tattooed gang name is also often placed elsewhere on the torso, on the upper arm area, on the side of one ankle, on the knuckles or on the back of the neck. Older youth who have established themselves in a gang will often choose to wear their gang name on their upper back at the base of their head.

The numbers "13" or "14" often accompany the name of the gang. The letters "V", "B" and "L" are common letters in gang names and are often displayed as acronyms for the gang's name. In El Paso and the Southwestern United States the letter "M" is now commonly used in connection with the word "Mexican" as part of a gang name. Some members of the Mexican Mafia gang sport a Mickey Mouse tattoo in order to substitute for the two "M's" of their gang name.

"Sun City" and "EPT" are also common tattoo markings in the El Paso area.

The Barrio Azteca adult group typically uses the number "21" as an identifier and may use an Aztec Indian head with the number of feathers indicating the rank of the individual with the tattoo. Tattoos also may state in Spanish "Dos Uno," standing for the numerical equivalent of "21." The number "two" is used to represent the letter "B." and the number "one" representing the letter "A" ("BA"). Alternatively,the Roman numerals "XXI" might be used for this representation.

Members of  BCG utilize the numbers "2" and "3" corresponding the the alphabetical order of the first two letters of the gang alphabetical abbreviation. Members of this group typically hold meetings on the 23rd day of a given month and regard the "23" number as sacred.

Various youth gangs in El Paso also utilize numbers in their tattoos and graffiiti markings corresponding to the numbers on a telephone key pad. For example, LVH will use the numbers "584" - the letter "L" is found on the number "5" key, the letter "V" is found on the "8" telephone key, and "H" is found on the telephone keypad with the number "4."

Spider markings and spider webs on the hands are also becoming a more common feature in El Paso.

While most hand tattoo markings are often self-applied using home-made tattoo marking devices and ink, elaborate tattoos can often serve as a prize or compensation for deeds performed. A collaboration of law enforcement, social service workers and medical professionals in El Paso offer free tattoo removal of visible tattoos with gang or cult relation to youth aged 21 and under. More recently, 2005, it has become more common for El Paso gang members to inscribe their skin with cutting devices in order to "carve in" a tattoo marking. These carvings can be even more dangerous than home-made ink tattoo applications from a medical standpoint, as infection can set in more easily. Additionally, Hepatitis C and AIDS can be transmitted in the homemade tattoo application process whether by carving or ink application.

Tattoos on the neck and bald head are not as common in the El Paso area as they are in Los Angeles and Southern California. In that area many mostly adult Hispanic gang members sport abbreviations of their gang name on the back of their bald head or on their neck. Florencia 13 members will sometimes sport an "F" on one side of the neck, with a "13" on the other side.

Many adult gang members acquire elaborate tattoos while in prison where a number of talented tattoo artists operate. Elaborate versions of "Smile Now, Cry Later" or a combination of "Life/Death" can be found in the prison venue. A more common tattoo now is that of the wording: "Trust no one." Some younger El Paso gang members sport the tattoo wording in Old English "Only God can judge me," especially on their back.

While many gang members choose to have tattoos for reasons of pride and identification, the same tattoos can be used by law enforcement to identify members without paper I.D. Law enforcement regularly classifies individual gang members by tattoos and inscriptions which are listed on their criminal and other records if they become entangled with the law.

Those considering receiving a tattoo are cautioned that one may later regret the permanent marking for any number of reasons. Many non-gang affiliated individuals consider tattoos an indication of a person's choice with affiliation with a lower class of moral standards. Employers often view tattoos as a "negative" and will not readily hire an individual with visible tattoos on the face, arms, hands or legs. Employers often comment that a person with tattoos might not be perceived as trustworthy or ethical by customers or fellow employees. Many religious individuals consider tattoo application a sin, referencing sections of the Old Testament.

Individuals who receive a tattoo made with home-made materials are at-risk for contracting the HIV and/or Hepatitis C. Tattoos in many municipalities such as El Paso restrict minors from getting tattoos without written parent permission or supervision.

As one ages or gains/loses weight, the original tattoo design may contract or widen as the body changes shape and skin ages.