Teardrop tattoo
The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo that is placed underneath the eye. It has no fixed meaning[1][2] but almost all meanings have some connection to prison.
In the United States, it can mean the wearer has killed someone [3] and the number of teardrops may indicate the number of killings.[1] It can also indicate the number of years served in prison or the loss of a loved one or fellow gang member.[1]
In at least one prison, (Oaxaca State) it indicates that the wearer was raped in prison.[4]
It is sometimes worn by the female companions of prisoners in solidarity with their loved ones.[5] Though typically a practice among American Latinas, English singer, The late Amy Winehouse got a teardrop tattoo when her husband went to prison.[3]
In a 2008 interview with Blender, Rapper Lil Wayne said of his four teardrop tattoos: "Lord, forgive me."[6][7] He did not say what he was asking forgiveness for.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Poljac, Bakir; Burke, Tod (August 2008). "Erasing the Past: Tattoo-Removal Programs for Former Gang Members". FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin 77 (8): pp. 13–18.
- ^ WOLF, SONJA; Logan, Samuel (August 2010). "This is for the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America's Most Violent Gang". Journal of Latin American Studies 42 (3): 627–629.
- ^ a b Smith, Brendan (April 25, 2008). "Tattoo Regret". Washington City Paper. http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/35479/tattoo-regret. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
- ^ McClelland, John (April 12, 2010). "Four Days in the Oaxaca State Prison". Mexconnect. http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3624-four-days-in-the-oaxaca-state-prison. Retrieved 2010-02-03.
- ^ Santos, Xuan (Fall 2009). "The Chicana Canvas: Doing Class, Gender, Race, and Sexuality through Tattooing in East Los Angeles". Feminist Formations 21 (3): 91–120.
- ^ Binelli, Mark (April 16, 2009). "Life on Planet Wayne". Rolling Stone: pp. 43–47, 73–74.
- ^ Lil Wayne Speaks On Addiction, R&B Album & More Andres Vasquez February 26, 2008
