Five dots tattoo
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The five dots tattoo is a tattoo of five dots arranged in a quincunx, usually on the outer surface of the hand, between the thumb and the index finger. The tattoo has different meanings in different cultures—it has been variously interpreted as a fertility symbol,[1] a reminder of sayings on how to treat women or police,[2] a recognition symbol among the Romani people,[2] a group of close friends,[3] standing alone in the world,[4] or time spent in prison (with the outer four dots representing the prison walls and the inner dot representing the prisoner).[5] Thomas Edison, whose many inventions included a tattooing machine, had this pattern tattooed on his forearm.[6]
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[edit] Portugal
The five dot pattern occurs on the five shields (themselves arranged in a quincunx) on the flag of Portugal, which represent the five Holy Wounds inflicted upon Jesus during his crucifixion. In American and Canadian prisons the tattoo is worn by many Portuguese-North American inmates. This tattoo was also sometimes formerly worn by members of the Portuguese army on the hand or shoulder. It is also prevalent as a Portuguese-American and Portuguese-Canadian street tattoo.
[edit] Europe
In France, Romania and Greece, tattoos of a quincunx, placed on the hand between index finger and thumb are found on prison inmates.
[edit] United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the quincunx tattoo, on the web between thumb and forefinger, is a prison tattoo reflecting the view of women by those wearing it - Find Her, Follow Her, Finger Her, Fuck Her, Forget Her.'
[edit] United States
In the United States, the five dot tattoo could mean you are a member of the Blood or People Nation gangs that represent the points on the five-pointed star. It is usually put on the left hand.[citation needed]
It is also a tattoo common for the Oriental Troop gang. The Oriental Troops are Crip-affiliated, but the five dots also represent the "5" in "15," which represents the fifteenth letter of the alphabet: "O" for "Oriental." Also, in the "Oriental Culture", the five dots represent : Health, Wealth, Family, Love, and Respect.[citation needed]
It is also a tattoo for Vietnamese gang members. The five dots stand for the five ts, which are, Tình, Tiền, Tù, Tội, Thù, which translates to love, money, prison, crime, revenge.
Five dot tattoos also represents a senior gang member or "OG" original gangster. The original three dots represent you and the homies gangbanging with each other. Adding two more dots represents a gangster who earns the right to command others. One surrounded by others in protection.
[edit] Russia
In the Russian criminal world five dot tattoos are placed on the hand of an inmate. It stands for "I will not forget prison". This is also the Armenian meaning.
[edit] South America
The central dot represents a police or prison officer surrounded by four inmates. This comes from the fact that inmates have faced the opposite: lying on the ground while surrounded by four police officers. The tattoo represents a vow to have a 'cop' in the same situation.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Gilbert, Steve (2000), Tattoo history: a source book : an anthology of historical records of tattooing throughout the world, Juno Books, p. 153, ISBN 9781890451066.
- ^ a b Turner, Robert (2005), Kishkindha, Osiris Press Ltd, p. 53, ISBN 9781905315055, http://books.google.com/books?id=cnxh8vR2HzQC&pg=PA53.
- ^ Daye, Douglas D. (1997), A law enforcement sourcebook of Asian crime and cultures: tactics and mindsets, CRC Press, p. 113, ISBN 9780849381164, http://books.google.com/books?id=Z0k0kTGivP4C&pg=PA113.
- ^ Vigil, James Diego (2002), A rainbow of gangs: street cultures in the mega-city, University of Texas Press, p. 115, ISBN 9780292787490, http://books.google.com/books?id=0qKcorWNve0C&pg=PA115.
- ^ Baldayev, Danzig (2006), Russian criminal tattoo encyclopedia, Volume 3, FUEL Publishing, p. 214.
- ^ Sherwood, Dane; Wood, Sandy; Kovalchik, Kara (2006), The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Not So Useless Facts, Penguin, p. 48, ISBN 9781592575671, http://books.google.com/books?id=9F6Xq8WtmeMC&pg=PT48.
- Asian gangs, marks, scars and tattoos. http://www.gangsorus.com/asian_gangs_marks.htm
