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 (see below) have some connection to prison.
Meaning [edit]
In the United States, it can mean the wearer has killed someone.[3] The number of teardrops may indicate the number of years spent in prison, or the number of times the wearer was raped.[1] It may also indicate time spent 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]
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. Wayne has spent 8 months in a city jail.[8] Amar'e Stoudemire was tattooed with a teardrop following the death of his older brother Hazell Jr. in a car accident.[9] Stoudemire's mother and brother Hazell Jr. have been in and out of prison.[10]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Smith, Brendan (April 25, 2008). "Tattoo Regret". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2010-09-20.
- ^ http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3624-four-days-in-the-oaxaca-state-prison
- ^ 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
- ^ "Rapper Lil Wayne Released From Prison After 8-Month Sentence". Fox News. 2010-11-04.
- ^ Lorenzo, Tom (2012-02-14). "Amar’e Stoudemire Honors His Late Brother By Getting A “Teardrop” Tattoo". Sports Grid. Retrieved 2012-02-28.
- ^ Ackert, Kristie; Isola, Frank (2012-02-06). "Amar'e Stoudemire's brother killed in crash". Daily News (New York).
