Tattoo Basics
Tattoo designs are used by criminals to signify their track record. This can include their crimes, their convictions or their specialist skills. Tattoos are also used to show membership of a criminal gang and their rank within the organization.
Many criminals are proud to wear these designs, however, the same can not be said of everyone. In some cases tattoos are forcibly applied to people who have broken the criminal code.
Over the years, these tattoo designs have developed a wide range of meanings which are often extremely complex. So here's how to interpret what the most common criminal tattoos designs mean.
Five Dots - In most cases, the dots are arrange like the number five on a dice. In some places it signifies imprisonment and represents a man stuck between four walls. In other places it is symbolic of a police officer surrounded by a gang of four criminals.
Cats - This tattoo design is most commonly associated with thieves as the cat has all the necessary qualities of a good thief, such as silence, speed, agility and slyness. It may also have something to do with the term "cat burglar". These tattoos often consist of a pair of cats located on the upper chest.
Tigers - Staying with the cat theme, these big cats are the sign of an enforcer. Alternatively, they can represent an avenger, and are often aimed at the police, court and prison authorities.
Knight - A knight tattoo is also the sign of an enforcer. And if the tattoo shows a knight in full armour it represents someone who has been convicted of assault or hooliganism.
Candle Sticks - This is the sign of a violent person (someone who will punch your lights out, or worse).
Butterflies - This gentle creature is used to show that someone is loyal and trustworthy. However, it can also be used to show that someone is an escape artist. A sailing ship tattoo is also used to indicate an inmate who is willing to help with any escape plan.
Snakes - Serpent tattoo designs have a specific meaning among criminals, especially if they are shown coiling around the neck and shoulders. It shows that the owner of the design feels that communism is still ruining the quality of their life.
Spider - This can indicate someone who has drug problems or someone who is a thief. If the spider is shown moving up a web it shows that the wearer is still an active criminal. In contrast, is the spider is moving down a web, it indicates that they intend to leave the life of crime.
Crown - The crown tattoo is a symbol of leadership whether it's the head of a family of the leader of a gang.
Skulls - These are another gang design, often worn by senior members of the organization. In most cases is signifies that they are a killer.
Lenin or Stalin - Tattoos showing the faces of either Stalin or Lenin were regarded as sacred in the days of the Soviet Union. So prison inmates would place these designs over their vital organs so that the prison guards wouldn't hit them or shot them on that part of the body. As you would imagine, these tattoo designs are now extremely rare.
Barbed Wire - This is a common prison tattoo, with the number of barbs on the design indicating the length of the prison term. If the design appears on the forehead, it is a symbol of life imprisonment with no chance of parole. Life imprisonment can also be represented by the swastika, even although the wearer isn't a Nazi sympathiser.
Stars - Stars are often used to indicate the number of years spent in prison. Each point of a star represents one year. If the star designs are placed on the kneecaps, it shows that the wearer refused to kneel to authority.
Churches - These designs are also used to indicate time spent in prison. Each tower represents one year or one prison sentence.
Rose - This indicates time spent in prison during a teenage birthday.
The Setting Sun - In contrast to the previous tattoos, the setting sun is used to represent freedom. For added effect, flying birds are often added to the design.
A Grin - Any tattoo design that includes a grinning face often with other elements of humor, shows that the wearer is laughing at someone, usually the authorities.
Genie - This design is often worn by people who have served time in prison for drug related offences.
Lawnmower - This can mean that the wearer is a transvestite.
Bells - This design indicates that someone has been convicted of a serious offence and will have to serve the full sentence as parole will not be available. These tattoos are often worn by senior members of criminal gangs and will help to generate great respect from other prisoners.
Dagger - If this design is placed between the shoulder blades and has blood dripping from the point, it indicates a killer.
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Newsvine 
Reddit
Criminal Tattoo Designs - What Do They Mean?
Many criminals are proud to wear these designs, however, the same can not be said of everyone. In some cases tattoos are forcibly applied to people who have broken the criminal code.
Over the years, these tattoo designs have developed a wide range of meanings which are often extremely complex. So here's how to interpret what the most common criminal tattoos designs mean.
Five Dots - In most cases, the dots are arrange like the number five on a dice. In some places it signifies imprisonment and represents a man stuck between four walls. In other places it is symbolic of a police officer surrounded by a gang of four criminals.
Cats - This tattoo design is most commonly associated with thieves as the cat has all the necessary qualities of a good thief, such as silence, speed, agility and slyness. It may also have something to do with the term "cat burglar". These tattoos often consist of a pair of cats located on the upper chest.
Tigers - Staying with the cat theme, these big cats are the sign of an enforcer. Alternatively, they can represent an avenger, and are often aimed at the police, court and prison authorities.
Knight - A knight tattoo is also the sign of an enforcer. And if the tattoo shows a knight in full armour it represents someone who has been convicted of assault or hooliganism.
Candle Sticks - This is the sign of a violent person (someone who will punch your lights out, or worse).
Butterflies - This gentle creature is used to show that someone is loyal and trustworthy. However, it can also be used to show that someone is an escape artist. A sailing ship tattoo is also used to indicate an inmate who is willing to help with any escape plan.
Snakes - Serpent tattoo designs have a specific meaning among criminals, especially if they are shown coiling around the neck and shoulders. It shows that the owner of the design feels that communism is still ruining the quality of their life.
Spider - This can indicate someone who has drug problems or someone who is a thief. If the spider is shown moving up a web it shows that the wearer is still an active criminal. In contrast, is the spider is moving down a web, it indicates that they intend to leave the life of crime.
Crown - The crown tattoo is a symbol of leadership whether it's the head of a family of the leader of a gang.
Skulls - These are another gang design, often worn by senior members of the organization. In most cases is signifies that they are a killer.
Lenin or Stalin - Tattoos showing the faces of either Stalin or Lenin were regarded as sacred in the days of the Soviet Union. So prison inmates would place these designs over their vital organs so that the prison guards wouldn't hit them or shot them on that part of the body. As you would imagine, these tattoo designs are now extremely rare.
Barbed Wire - This is a common prison tattoo, with the number of barbs on the design indicating the length of the prison term. If the design appears on the forehead, it is a symbol of life imprisonment with no chance of parole. Life imprisonment can also be represented by the swastika, even although the wearer isn't a Nazi sympathiser.
Stars - Stars are often used to indicate the number of years spent in prison. Each point of a star represents one year. If the star designs are placed on the kneecaps, it shows that the wearer refused to kneel to authority.
Churches - These designs are also used to indicate time spent in prison. Each tower represents one year or one prison sentence.
Rose - This indicates time spent in prison during a teenage birthday.
The Setting Sun - In contrast to the previous tattoos, the setting sun is used to represent freedom. For added effect, flying birds are often added to the design.
A Grin - Any tattoo design that includes a grinning face often with other elements of humor, shows that the wearer is laughing at someone, usually the authorities.
Genie - This design is often worn by people who have served time in prison for drug related offences.
Lawnmower - This can mean that the wearer is a transvestite.
Bells - This design indicates that someone has been convicted of a serious offence and will have to serve the full sentence as parole will not be available. These tattoos are often worn by senior members of criminal gangs and will help to generate great respect from other prisoners.
Dagger - If this design is placed between the shoulder blades and has blood dripping from the point, it indicates a killer.
Del.icio.us Digg Newsvine Reddit