Gang Tattoo Meanings and Pictures

Tattooing is a form of ritual. It is also used as a means to express who an individual is and what they stand for. Most tattoos are a very personal symbol for whoever wears them on his or her body.

Ancient Romans were known to use their tattoos as a means in identifying their slaves. Ancient Japanese would tattoo their criminals to identify the crime they had committed. Many cultures would use tattoos to show what they as a people stood for in a spiritual sense, while others would use tattoos to outcast slaves or criminals.

These cultures as well as subcultures were brought together by tattooing but were set apart by the meanings and intent of each distinct marking.

A tattoo is a permanent work of art that is created on the skin on either a visible part of the body or in a very private position. It can never be erased. In that sense, a tattoo will be with you forever. It is for this reason that both ancient as well as the more modern cultures would use tattooing on their criminals so as to purposefully keep them separate from non-tattooed people.

They were the outcasts of society. From this, tattooing would develop its darker side and slowly make its way into the world of the criminal. Prison inmates were branded or tattooed and discovered they were on common ground, forming gangs and bonds based on their own criminal status. Their tattoos would be their symbol which would identify each member of their underworld.

Earlier gangs would tattoo the same symbol on each member, but modern day gang members will tattoo their individual interpretations of their gang's symbols.

A gang tattoo marks someone as being a part of either a prison gang or a street gang. It symbolizes proud membership. It represents allegiance to a group that is deeply personal. A gang tattoo also represents the beliefs of the wearer.

Sometimes a gang tattoo will record an act of murder or violence. Each gang will have their own set of markings and tattoos. Some symbols will cross the boundary of a gang. An example would be a teardrop beneath one eye. This could represent a loved one's death or murder.

Gang tattoos can be heavily detailed and represent a gang affiliation as well as the member as an individual. They generally represent gang names and accomplishments or a memorial to a loved one, cultural and religious ties, and even their children's names.

A common gang tattoo is dots between the thumb and forefinger which will indicate their time spent behind bars. There are also certain designs that will have coded meanings. Below are a few tattoos and an explanation of their special significance:

• Barbed wire that is tattooed across a forehead signifies life imprisonment with no chance of parole.

• A cat means that the person lives their life as a thief.

• Churches and fortresses will often be tattooed on a hand, the back, or chest. Each tower or spire represents the number of years in incarceration.

• Tombstones represent time that has been lost.

A gang tattoo is not worn to be fashionable or cool. It goes beyond that. It is a hard earned emblem that is proudly worn to show the harsh reality of a member's everyday life.

Frog Tattoo Meaning and Pictures

Tattoos can probably lay claim to being around over 5000 years ago when a man was found in the Alps in 1992, perfectly preserved in the ice. There were 58 simple little lines and dots tattooed on his body.

Tattoos were also found on Nubian and Egyptian mummies that were more than 4000 years old. The Greeks, Gauls, ancient Germans, ancient Britons, South Pacific tribesmen, South and North American Indian tribes and the Maoris in New Zealand all practiced the art of tattooing.

Frog Tattoo Meanings And Symbolism

Symbolism has always played a very important role through the ages, and it is certainly no less important in our lives today. Depending on our personal lifestyle and our beliefs, certain symbols will have a deeper meaning to us.

Frogs are usually a popular symbol of harmony, life and rebirth. It is also a positive symbol for a woman's pregnancy. Within ancient Egypt, it is said that a frog was a guide and protector towards the afterlife. Native American tribesmen believe that a frog will bring rain, while some Christians of today wear the symbol of a frog that means 'forever relying on God'.

The metamorphosis of the frog has haunted many tribal cultures. Olmec tribes from Central America always believed that a frog would live in a cycle of rebirth and always eat its own skin. Chinese legend believes that a frog is able to keep many secrets and spells. One of these secrets is of being a mortal.

In Asia, frogs are thought to be the guardians of the supernatural secrets of the universe. For many Red Indian tribes, the origin of the frog has been related to the elements of water and the moon and meaning fruitfulness, riches and success in every form. For shamans, a frog was seen as their teacher or mentor. Iban warriors had a frog tattoo on their throats to symbolize protection.

Frog Tattoo Design Styles And Ideas

There are many frog tattoos that one can choose from. The realistic styles of frog tattoos are quite popular. These include the tree frogs that are bright green with red eyes and orange feet that are either amongst their natural surroundings or are climbing up the wearer's leg or arm.

Mantella or dart frogs are also a popular type of frog that is incredibly poisonous. Their coloring is vivid and they will sometimes have an interesting pattern along their body. Cartoon-like depictions show a crouching frog tattoo with a sarcastic or cute expression on its face, with its tongue ready to lap at flies and sitting serenely on top of a water-lily.

Tribal frogs will normally be tattooed in sharp, long black strokes. Aztec frogs are more stylized, with round bodies and eyes, fork-like toes and winding limbs. Egyptian art could also be recreated by using the Egyptian goddess Hekt in the profile of a Panamanian frog.

The Final Word

Not all reptiles and insects will be considered creepy. A tree frog tattoo can be both colorful and beautiful and will certainly not make anyone's skin crawl. They will instead make a person's skin glow and radiate with the beautiful colors of the frog.

A tattoo is a very personal art form, and considered by many to be a very spiritual experience. It has been said that you take your tattoos with you when you pass on from this life. In a very real sense, a tattoo will be with you forever.

Funny Tattoos

We've all seen our fair share of ridiculously funny tattoos while browsing the internet, however the following pictures are some of our personal handpicked favorites from hundreds of super silly body artwork designs.

Funny tattoo designs are expressed in many different ways, including the old animal belly button "butt" idea, which seems to be gathering a cult like following, as we see new masterpieces surfacing on the internet almost daily. Which is certainly a sign of the impending apocalypse.

So before the world becomes consumed by stupidity, first enjoy this picture gallery of the worlds funniest and perhaps dumbest tattoos known to man.



These funny belly button tattoos possess the perfect amount of humor and disgust, all wrapped into one offensive work of body art. But seriously, the ladies must go wild over it...



Nothing better than those sarcastically thought provoking funny tattoos, which leaves you guessing the sanity of the individual sporting the masterpiece. Six pack man basically conveys an entire life story within a single stomach design. Simply amazing!



And if you personally, ever find yourself pondering the thought of a funny or blatantly moronic tattoo such as the ones featured above, please take note that the design will remain intact for up to 75 years, if not longer...

Friendship Tattoos

Remember in the past, when people would demonstrate their love for one another with a high five or perhaps a friendship bracelet? Well those days are history and its becoming increasingly more popular to showcase you're friendship with a tattoo design.

Friendship tattoos are when two or more pals get the exact same design, often in the very same location on each others body. And while this practice is quite clever, we've noticed that a few people are taking this idea one step further and selecting "half" designs, which combined to form one complete tattoo.

Checkout this neat picture gallery of some superb ideas for your very own piece of artwork.



Friendship tattoos aren't just for the ladies, in fact they are quite common among guys, as well as boyfriend and girlfriend, however with any relationship artwork you are most certainly treading on dangerous grounds, with the possibility of a breakup.



It seems like some of the most popular areas of the body for these tattoos include the ankle, foot and wrist, followed by the forearm area.



Like with any body art, its essential to fully think though the design and location, plus when you're dealing with a possible friendship tattoo, you better make darn sure that the partnership is pure and true, because the last thing you want is a constant reminder of some evildoer stamped on your body...

Flower Tattoos

Searching for a stunningly beautiful tattoo idea, or perhaps looking for a fabulous design to complement an existing art piece? Well its hard to go wrong with an elegantly placed flower tattoo.

Flower tattoos are probably the singles most common design among women, and with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult deciding which one is the best match for you.

With that being said, some of the most popular flower tattoos include the rose, lily, lotus, plus the beautiful array of Hawaiian species such as the orchid, anthurium and hibiscus are beloved by many art and beauty enthusiasts. Enjoy this picture gallery of helpful ideas.



More often than not we see lovely stand alone designs which are completely beautiful, however we personally love a colorful mixture of perhaps lilies, a rose and a smattering of daisies would be very appealing.



As for body location of flower tattoos, pretty much anything goes, however we love the shoulder artwork, both the upper arm and back shoulder area are excellent locations. Plus the ankle or foot is always a cute spot and the hip is becoming increasingly popular as well.



Flowers in general are said to symbolize peace, happiness and a overall sense of enlightenment, which stems from not only their pleasant appearance, but also the aroma they produce.

Unfortunately they haven't developed scented tattoos just yet, but its surly right around the corner...