Teardrop tattoo
The tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo with varied connotations that is placed underneath the eye. Teardrop tattoos usually signify the loss of a friend or loved one. Often, for a male, the tattoo is given to represent the death of a brother.[citation needed] An empty tear signifies that the loved one has been killed or that the bearer has unsuccessfully attempted murder.[1] A filled tattoo signifies that a loved one has taken his or her own life, or was killed by a cause other than murder (car crash, death penalty, etc.) A tear with an empty top and a full bottom means that the wearer has avenged the murder of a loved one.[1]
Tear tattoos, when given in prison, primarily indicate that the bearer has murdered someone, either in or out of jail.[1][2][3] In Australian prisons, teardrop tattoos are often forcibly given to convicted child molesters by other inmates.[4] The tattoo can also be given to commemorate a loved one who died while the wearer was incarcerated.[2]
Famous people with tear tattoos
This list contains some notable individuals with teardrop tattoos:
Rappers
Other
- NBA player Larry Hughes has a tear tattoo in memory of his younger brother, who died [5]
- R&B singer Amy Winehouse drew a tear under her left eye with eyeliner after husband Blake Fielder-Civil was admitted to a prison hospital for a suspected heroin overdose [4][6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "The Teardrop Tattoo". A Tattooed Blog by Noel Boyd. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ a b "Break the Tattoo Code - The Tear drop Tattoo". INKEDBlog. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ "Meanings of tattoos that start with the letter T". Target Tattoo. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^ a b c "Amy's new tattoo". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
- ^
{{cite web}}: Empty citation (help) - ^ "Amy Winehouse wears a tear on her cheek as husband Blake recovers from prison overdose". Mail Online. Retrieved 2008-09-14.