What Does A Tear Tattoo Mean?

What Does A Tear Tattoo Mean
Teardrop – What does a teardrop tattoo mean? Easily one of the most popular prison tattoos in popular culture, the teardrop tattoo actually has a less innocent meaning behind it. The meaning of teardrop tattoos can vary depending on the geography, but they all have the same premise: it symbolizes murder.

  • A teardrop tattoo on the face means that the person has committed murder;
  • A teardrop outline represents attempted murder, but it could also mean that the person has a friend who was murdered and that they are now currently seeking vengeance;

A filled in teardrop means a death has been avenged. If someone’s initials have been placed in the tear, it could be the name of that person who died. Other sources also indicate that a tear tattoo could mean remorse; one teardrop under the eye serves as a reminder to the person of a mistake. In some prisons, the meaning of teardrop tattoos differs depending on which side it is on. A teardrop tattoo on the left eye means that the person murdered someone in jail, and a teardrop tattoo on the right eye means the person lost a family or gang member to murder. In recent years, it’s become an extremely popular tattoo for rappers and celebrities in an effort to play up their “gangster” image.

  1. Another, less popular symbolism for this prison tattoo is solidarity or support;
  2. An example could be the late Amy Winehouse’s ink, which the singer got soon after her husband Blake Fielder-Civil was sent to jail for perverting the course of justice;

The most recognizable name being Lil’ Wayne. Why does the rapper have four teardrop tattoos? The tatts reportedly symbolize the four loved ones he’s lost. Tear tattoos aren’t just done under the eyes. You can also find them on fingers. What is the meaning of a teardrop tattoo on a finger? It could mean dealing with a personal struggle.

What does a tattoo tear represent?

What does teardrop tattoo mean? A teardrop tattoo is a small tattoo in the shape of a teardrop near one or both eyes. It is closely associated with gang and prison culture, where it often indicates one has served time, one has been humiliated, or one has killed.

What does an empty tear tattoo mean?

Rapper Lil Wayne with teardrop tattoos below his eyes The teardrop tattoo or tear tattoo is a symbolic tattoo of a tear that is placed underneath the eye. The teardrop is one of the most widely recognised prison tattoos [1] and has various meanings. It can signify that the wearer has spent time in prison, [2] [3] or more specifically that the wearer was raped while incarcerated and tattooed by the rapist as a “property” mark and for humiliation, since facial tattoos cannot be concealed.

  • [4] [5] [6] [7] The tattoo is sometimes worn by the female companions of prisoners in solidarity with their loved ones;
  • [8] Amy Winehouse had a teardrop drawn on her face in eyeliner after her husband Blake entered the Pentonville prison hospital following a suspected drug overdose;

[9] It can acknowledge the loss of a friend or family member: North American rappers The Game and Lil Wayne have teardrop tattoos signifying the death of friends [10] and basketball player Amar’e Stoudemire has had a teardrop tattoo since 2012 honoring his older brother Hazell Jr.

  • , who died in a car accident;
  • [11] In West Coast gang culture (USA), the tattoo may signify that the wearer has killed someone [12] [13] and in some of those circles, the tattoo’s meaning can change: an empty outline meaning either the wearer attempted murder or that a fellow gang member or friend died and when filled in, the wearer sought revenge;

[14] [15] Sometimes the exact meaning of the tattoo is known only by the wearer: [13] [16] Portuguese footballer Ricardo Quaresma has never explained his teardrop tattoos. [17].

What does a teardrop tattoo on the left side mean?

The Prison Life Symbolism – As mentioned earlier, for the last 40 to 50 years, the trend with teardrop tattoos has often been associated with the meanings related to the criminal record, street fights and murders, and the life inside the prison. However, the different rules for the teardrop tattoo apply from prison to prison.

In most cases, getting the teardrop tattoo when being in prison is associated with the struggle, pain, and oftentimes loneliness when it comes to being in prison, the yearning for freedom, family, friends, and loved ones.

As mentioned above, violent inmates force their less dominant inmates to get a tattoo of the teardrop and oftentimes do it themselves to instill fear and show dominance. Also, the symbolism of life in prison is determined by the color of a teardrop, whether it’s just outlined or filled in with the solid layer of the link or boasts some other color.

  1. Some teardrops are red, but on most occasions, they are blue or green, so that they are closely resembling the actual tear;
  2. Some symbolism proposes that the outlined teardrop symbolizes that the prisoner was charged with attempted murder, for harming someone badly, or nearly executing the murder act;

If the teardrop is filled in, that means that the imprisoned person was charged with a degree of murder and is likely sentenced to life in prison. However, these vary from facility to facility and can be taken with the grain of salt before believed in fully.

Also, whether a person should ink the teardrop tattoo on their left or right part of the place rises a lot of confusion. However, that also depends on which facility the person is at, and whether there are some strict culture and policy between the inmates.

So, the teardrops located on the left side of the eye indicate that the person has conducted a murder of someone. Each teardrop represents one murder, which could make other inmates scared of violent and dominant inmates if they have some of those. However, this rule doesn’t apply everywhere.

Some people may just have the teardrops on the left side due to sadness, sorrow, or pain related to being in prison. On the other hand, inmates with teardrop tattoos on the right side of their eye aren’t necessarily associated with them murdering someone.

In some prisons, inmates get teardrops on the right side of the face to mark remembrance of a friend or a family member that has passed away. Certain gang members also ink a teardrop on the right side of their eye as a sign of honor for another gang member who was murdered or had passed away.

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In some gangs it could even hint at revenge for the lost gang member. Then again, that doesn’t always hold, and a person that has the tattoo under their right eye isn’t always associated with missing the deceased one or murdered.

Now that we highlighted the key meaning of the teardrop tattoo, let’s take a look at other symbolism of the tattoos, that may be associated with the prison and criminal life, but isn’t limited to it. Instagram: @charlottebergmantattoo.

Does a teardrop tattoo mean you’ve killed someone?

Teardrop – What does a teardrop tattoo mean? Easily one of the most popular prison tattoos in popular culture, the teardrop tattoo actually has a less innocent meaning behind it. The meaning of teardrop tattoos can vary depending on the geography, but they all have the same premise: it symbolizes murder.

  1. A teardrop tattoo on the face means that the person has committed murder;
  2. A teardrop outline represents attempted murder, but it could also mean that the person has a friend who was murdered and that they are now currently seeking vengeance;

A filled in teardrop means a death has been avenged. If someone’s initials have been placed in the tear, it could be the name of that person who died. Other sources also indicate that a tear tattoo could mean remorse; one teardrop under the eye serves as a reminder to the person of a mistake. In some prisons, the meaning of teardrop tattoos differs depending on which side it is on. A teardrop tattoo on the left eye means that the person murdered someone in jail, and a teardrop tattoo on the right eye means the person lost a family or gang member to murder. In recent years, it’s become an extremely popular tattoo for rappers and celebrities in an effort to play up their “gangster” image.

Another, less popular symbolism for this prison tattoo is solidarity or support. An example could be the late Amy Winehouse’s ink, which the singer got soon after her husband Blake Fielder-Civil was sent to jail for perverting the course of justice.

The most recognizable name being Lil’ Wayne. Why does the rapper have four teardrop tattoos? The tatts reportedly symbolize the four loved ones he’s lost. Tear tattoos aren’t just done under the eyes. You can also find them on fingers. What is the meaning of a teardrop tattoo on a finger? It could mean dealing with a personal struggle.

What do 3 dots in a row mean tattoo?

Three dots in a line tattoo – When three dots are designed in a straight line, they are thought to represent that a sentence is not yet complete. This can mean the wearer is still on their life’s journey, or is going through a process of change. This type of tattoo is also known as an ‘ellipsis’ and can have a spiritual meaning with the three dots illustrating a number of different spiritual concepts. What Does A Tear Tattoo Mean.

Why does bar have teardrop tattoos?

Bariki Smith: Tattoos – Bar has a number of face tattoos, including a forehead tattoo on his right which says ‘NORM’, a teardrop near his eye and a forearm tattoo. He also has a face tattoo which reads ‘YR474′ above his left eyebrow, which several fans have questioned in relation to its meaning.

In 2019, Ashley shared her frustration – on Twitter – over Bar wanting to go and get a tattoo instead of helping her watch their daughter Holly. His face tattoos are tributes to friends who passed away, with ‘YR’ referring to a rapper who is known as Young Rell.

The teardrop is one of the most widely recognised prison tattoos and has various meanings, which can signify that they have been in jail. It can also acknowledge the loss of a friend or family member, amongst other potential meanings, but we don’t know Bar’s reason behind the tattoo.

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What teardrops symbolize?

Teardrop Tattoo Designs and Placement – As a criminal or prison tattoo, the way that the teardrop is composed clarifies the significance of the tattoo. An outline of a teardrop is a symbol of mourning and grief for the death of a friend or family member while a solid, colored teardrop represents that that death has been avenged.

The tattoo may begin as only an outline and then be filled in after the individual has sought revenge. Typically, black or a traditional old school blue color is used for these tattoos and it is very rare to see any other, brighter colors used as the symbol is very somber.

An initial may be placed inside the teardrop to specify the deceased or it may be left blank, or filled in completely. This is most often done in very simple script, though there are some cases where the space inside of the teardrop is a bit wider so the text can be customized to the owner’s liking.

Placed on a finger or anywhere on the body not underneath the eye, the teardrop tattoo can be a personal symbol of a struggle with some sort of trauma or tragedy. The teardrop represents sadness, depression, and possible mourning in this way and can be designed in a variety of ways.

When not on the face, it is most often found on the finger or multiple drops on multiple fingers. It is generally placed on the index finger or fingers so that the finger(s) can be placed under the eye to represent falling tears. In this way, the teardrop tattoo is a symbol of emotion without having to receive a tattoo on the face.

  • Tears on the fingers are usually colored a light blue and given white highlighting to add depth to the image;
  • Other colors are used to help personalize the tattoo, such as pink or other soft colors to feminize the symbol, or a pattern or favorite color;

Teardrops can be incorporated into other symbols in order to enhance the intention of that symbol. The semicolon is often used as a representation of someone who has survived suicide or depression. The comma of the semicolon can be adopted into a teardrop shape to emphasize the hardship that was experienced.

  • For a more obvious symbol, the teardrop can be made to appear dripping from an eye, ensuring that the intent of the tattoo is clear;
  • A teardrop falling from an eye is a representation of sadness, a very personal struggle;

Or, rather than sadness, the teardrop can symbolize emotionality and passion.

Why does Lil Wayne have a teardrop?

Rap icon Lil Wayne is known for his raspy voice and clever wordplay , but many also talk about the rapper’s many tattoos, notably on his face. Over the years, Lil Wayne’s face has become more and more covered with tattoos, but still clearly visible under his right eye are two teardrop tattoos. Teardrop tattoos are about as thug as they get. Commonly seen in prison and gang culture, they are generally perceived to represent the number of people whom you have killed, but it can also mean that you have been prison raped, or less commonly that you’ve served time. Lil Wayne in 2009. Photo by Ray Tamarra. Lil Wayne has apparently been asked about the meaning of his teardrop tattoos, to which he responds that they are to represent family members who have died. However, it was at his mother’s request that he covered up the teardrop under his left eye, and as Wayne claimed she said it was because he had too many of them.

At one point, Lil Wayne also had a teardrop tattoo under his left eye. That tattoo has since been covered up by a tribal tattoo coming from his forehead. He has yet another teardrop (you may not count this one) on the lower left side of his mouth, making for a grand total of four teardrop tattoos.

He didn’t elaborate much from there, though some question why his mother wanted him to remove that specific teardrop, and if she was connected to any dark deeds that Wayne may have done to represent the tattoo. There is naturally some speculation that Lil Wayne’s teardrop tattoos may actually represent murders, rather than dead family members like he says, as many of his songs have included references to gun violence and the Bloods.

  1. Lil Wayne was also involved with Birdman’s Cash Money records in the early days, since 1996 which was before he got his face tattoos;
  2. Birdman is a known gangster, with ties to the Bloods, of which Lil Wayne and Young Thug are also reportedly members;
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What I’m saying is it wouldn’t be such a stretch to think that Lil Wayne may have been involved in some shady business when he first entered the hip-hop scene. Especially considering Lil Wayne was just 14 years old in 1996, a member of the Hot Boys , the speculation about the real meaning of those tattoos is warranted.

Of course, if Lil Wayne truly did kill somebody, he would never admit that on camera, so the speculation will live on. Watch a 2011 interview with Lil Wayne at the top of his game below, where he discusses his tattoos, sipping lean, and all-around keeping it real.

If you enjoy our content, follow @extrachill on Instagram to stay connected!.

What does a star under the eye mean?

Tattoos as Evidence FILE – This undated file booking photo from the Kansas Department of Corrections shows Jeffrey Chapman, charged with first-degree murder in the November 2011 killing of Damon Galliart, whose body was found by in a ditch southwest of Great Bend, Kan.

  1. After his attorney claimed it would be prejudicial, Chapman will be allowed to wear a turtleneck to cover a tattoo on his neck of the word “murder” spelled backward when his trial begins in August 2014;

(AP Photo/Kansas Department of Corrections, File) HARTFORD, Conn. — Teardrops for murders. Spider webs for prison time. Penal code numbers for crimes committed. Criminals have long used tattoos as indelible ink on their own bodily rap sheet. And for just as long, police have used them as a way to identify suspects, a distinguishing characteristic to jog a memory or catch the public’s eye.

But only rarely does body art play a pivotal role as evidence posited as proof of wrongdoing. Prosecutors trying to convict former New England Patriot Aaron Hernandez in a pair of homicide cases could try to use the one-time football star’s tattoos against him: They are seeking the artists who worked on Hernandez, saying they could be witnesses.

Criminal justice experts, however, say it’s hard for law enforcement to determine whether someone with a tattoo linked to a kind of crime actually did the deed. As Todd Bettencourt, a tattoo artist in North Attleborough, Massachusetts — the town where Hernandez was living at the time of the killings — said, “some people just get it because it’s cool.

” Much of Hernandez’s upper body is covered in tattoos: The open-mouthed face of a lion sits atop his right bicep, ringed by the words “It’s about the fight in you;” ”1989,” his birth year, spans the fingers of his left hand and a 10-word phrase favored by his father, “If it is to be it is up to me,” runs down his left forearm.

It is Hernandez’s right forearm that has piqued the interest of investigators, though they will not specify which design they have focused on. Hernandez is accused of fatally shooting two men — Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado — and wounding a third in Boston in July 2012. What Does A Tear Tattoo Mean FILE – In this June 27, 2013, file photo, former New England Patriots NFL football player Aaron Hernandez stands during a bail hearing in Superior Court in Fall River, Mass. Hernandez is accused of three murders in Massachusetts. Investigators have appealed for information from tattoo artists who inked his right forearm, but won’t say which of Hernandezâs many tattoos prompted their appeal. Photos of Hernandez show he has had five stars and other tattoo work added to his right forearm over the past few years.

He also is charged in last year’s killing of Odin Lloyd, whose body was found near Hernandez’s home. And he is being sued by an associate who says Hernandez shot him in the eye in Miami last year. While many star tattoos have nothing to do with crime, they can sometimes be used to represent killings, said Kevin Waters, a criminal justice professor at Northern Michigan University and former agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

“I would say the cops probably see the stars and know in some circles that a star does represent a kill and want a tattoo artist to come in and see if he (Hernandez) said anything about that,” Waters said. Every once in a while, criminal investigators do hit the jackpot. What Does A Tear Tattoo Mean FILE – This undated file photo provided by the Los Angeles Sheriffâs department shows convicted murderer Anthony Garcia, sentenced to 65 years in prison in 2011 after a homicide investigator discovered he had the scene of an unsolved 2004 murder inked on his chest. In April, an Indiana judge ordered William Clyde Gibson to grow out his hair to cover a new tattoo — “Death Row X 3” — before the twice-convicted murderer went on trial for allegedly killing a third person. That same month in Kansas, Jeffrey Chapman was given permission to wear a turtleneck to cover a tattoo of the word “murder” spelled backward on his neck, amid concerns it would prejudice the jury at his upcoming murder trial.

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That was the case with Southern California gang member Anthony Garcia , who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 65 years in prison in 2011 after a homicide investigator discovered that Garcia had the scene of an unsolved 2004 murder inked on his chest.

In Hernandez’s case, officials said they have received several responses to their plea for information for tattoo artists who worked on him, but they wouldn’t elaborate. Boston police and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said the artists would be considered witnesses and are not accused of any wrongdoing.

Even if investigators do find the artists who created the tattoos they are interested in, it’s not clear they would talk. Artists say clients do often share personal information, but there is a split within the tattoo community about whether there is artist-client confidentiality.

Bettencourt, who said he never worked on Hernandez, said there are no clear rules and, besides, the stars on Hernandez’s arm could have been added just as part of a design to make the tattoo work appear fuller. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission..

Why does Lil Wayne have a teardrop?

Rap icon Lil Wayne is known for his raspy voice and clever wordplay , but many also talk about the rapper’s many tattoos, notably on his face. Over the years, Lil Wayne’s face has become more and more covered with tattoos, but still clearly visible under his right eye are two teardrop tattoos. Teardrop tattoos are about as thug as they get. Commonly seen in prison and gang culture, they are generally perceived to represent the number of people whom you have killed, but it can also mean that you have been prison raped, or less commonly that you’ve served time. Lil Wayne in 2009. Photo by Ray Tamarra. Lil Wayne has apparently been asked about the meaning of his teardrop tattoos, to which he responds that they are to represent family members who have died. However, it was at his mother’s request that he covered up the teardrop under his left eye, and as Wayne claimed she said it was because he had too many of them.

At one point, Lil Wayne also had a teardrop tattoo under his left eye. That tattoo has since been covered up by a tribal tattoo coming from his forehead. He has yet another teardrop (you may not count this one) on the lower left side of his mouth, making for a grand total of four teardrop tattoos.

He didn’t elaborate much from there, though some question why his mother wanted him to remove that specific teardrop, and if she was connected to any dark deeds that Wayne may have done to represent the tattoo. There is naturally some speculation that Lil Wayne’s teardrop tattoos may actually represent murders, rather than dead family members like he says, as many of his songs have included references to gun violence and the Bloods.

Lil Wayne was also involved with Birdman’s Cash Money records in the early days, since 1996 which was before he got his face tattoos. Birdman is a known gangster, with ties to the Bloods, of which Lil Wayne and Young Thug are also reportedly members.

What I’m saying is it wouldn’t be such a stretch to think that Lil Wayne may have been involved in some shady business when he first entered the hip-hop scene. Especially considering Lil Wayne was just 14 years old in 1996, a member of the Hot Boys , the speculation about the real meaning of those tattoos is warranted.

Of course, if Lil Wayne truly did kill somebody, he would never admit that on camera, so the speculation will live on. Watch a 2011 interview with Lil Wayne at the top of his game below, where he discusses his tattoos, sipping lean, and all-around keeping it real.

If you enjoy our content, follow @extrachill on Instagram to stay connected!.

What does a colored in teardrop tattoo mean?

Teardrop Tattoo Designs and Placement – As a criminal or prison tattoo, the way that the teardrop is composed clarifies the significance of the tattoo. An outline of a teardrop is a symbol of mourning and grief for the death of a friend or family member while a solid, colored teardrop represents that that death has been avenged.

The tattoo may begin as only an outline and then be filled in after the individual has sought revenge. Typically, black or a traditional old school blue color is used for these tattoos and it is very rare to see any other, brighter colors used as the symbol is very somber.

An initial may be placed inside the teardrop to specify the deceased or it may be left blank, or filled in completely. This is most often done in very simple script, though there are some cases where the space inside of the teardrop is a bit wider so the text can be customized to the owner’s liking.

Placed on a finger or anywhere on the body not underneath the eye, the teardrop tattoo can be a personal symbol of a struggle with some sort of trauma or tragedy. The teardrop represents sadness, depression, and possible mourning in this way and can be designed in a variety of ways.

When not on the face, it is most often found on the finger or multiple drops on multiple fingers. It is generally placed on the index finger or fingers so that the finger(s) can be placed under the eye to represent falling tears. In this way, the teardrop tattoo is a symbol of emotion without having to receive a tattoo on the face.

  1. Tears on the fingers are usually colored a light blue and given white highlighting to add depth to the image;
  2. Other colors are used to help personalize the tattoo, such as pink or other soft colors to feminize the symbol, or a pattern or favorite color;

Teardrops can be incorporated into other symbols in order to enhance the intention of that symbol. The semicolon is often used as a representation of someone who has survived suicide or depression. The comma of the semicolon can be adopted into a teardrop shape to emphasize the hardship that was experienced.

For a more obvious symbol, the teardrop can be made to appear dripping from an eye, ensuring that the intent of the tattoo is clear. A teardrop falling from an eye is a representation of sadness, a very personal struggle.

Or, rather than sadness, the teardrop can symbolize emotionality and passion.