The following article discusses common prison, gang, and hate tattoos. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them.
This story is not an endorsement for these types of tattoos, but an article that can be used for identification purposes and for greater understanding of what these tattoos are used for within prison and gang systems, and to the wider world.
I found this assignment both repugnant and fascinating. In my opinion, these tattoos are a lingering stain on the world of tattoo that stop our industry from gaining the full acceptability it deserves as an art form and choice of expression.
The use of control and power for the deployment of these types of tattoos was something I had never considered – like a branding onto cattle, or the slave identification tattoos of Greek Antiquity – this body modification could never be considered art in any fashion.
They are inherently ugly.
Read on to learn about 12 types of hate tattoo, and explore how and why these tattoos have taken such a large place in collective consciousness.
1. Aryan Brotherhood Prison Tattoos
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, Created in Canva by Jono
Aryan Brotherhood tattoos come in many sizes, shapes and designs. All of them signify membership to the primary gang for Caucasians in prison and are often accompanied by other forms of white supremacist body art (more below).
The Aryan Brotherhood is comparatively small in numbers but have the reputation for ready murder and ruthless retaliation when crossed. Most Aryan Brotherhood tattoos reference the initials A.B.
The examples here are from a pair of Texas branches of the prison gang.
Note the poor quality in design – they were almost certainly done by a prison ‘scratcher.’ As tattoos are illegal within jail, needles, ink, and rudimentary machines are often cobbled together from all sorts of refuse, from pens and plastic to workshop offcuts.
RELATED BEST 10 ON AMAZON:
IMAGE | TITLE | TRENDS | SEE MORE |
| Witchy Celestial Silver Temporary Tattoos (10-Pk) | Witch-Inspired | Skin Safe | MADE IN THE USA | Removable | 211.6 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Cosplay Tats Harry Stylez Inspired Temporary Tattoo Bundle - Over 60 Tats - Harry Costume / Cosplay - MADE IN USA | 968.2 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| VANTATY 66 Sheets 3D Small Black Temporary Tattoos For Women Men Waterproof Fake Tattoo Stickers For Face Neck Arm Childre... | 3375.5 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Yazhiji Tiny Waterproof Temporary Tattoos - 60 Sheets, Moon Stars Constellations Music Compass Anchor Words Lines Flowers ... | 19602 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Temporary Tattoo, VIPITH 116 Pcs Fake Tattoos That Look Real for Women Men Adults, Waterproof Halloween Temporary Tattoos,... | 53.3 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| GOROMON 52 Sheets Skull Tiger Lion Temporary Tattoos For Women Neck Kids Face, 3D Waterproof Cute Tiny Small Fake Tattoo S... | 787.6 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Yazhiji 56 Sheets Temporary Tattoos Stickers 11 Sheets Half Arm Shoulder Tattoos for Men or Women with 45 Sheets Tiny Fake... | 3071.2 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Gang Tattoos 24PCS Waterproof Full Arm Temporary Tattoos 8 Sheets and Long Lasting Temporary Tattoos Stickers 16 Sheets Bl... | 77.7 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| I'm Fine Graphic Novelty Sarcastic Movie Halloween Humor Zombie Funny T Shirt | 36864.4 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Akstore Temporary Tattoo Sleeves Set Arts Temporary Fake Slip On Tattoo Arm Sleeves Kit | 26716 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| 62 Sheets Temporary Tattoos Stickers, Fake Body Arm Chest Shoulder Tattoos for Men and Women, Halloween Temporary Tattoos ... | 20718 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Yazhiji Tiny Waterproof Temporary Tattoos - 60 Sheets, Moon Stars Constellations Music Compass Anchor Words Lines Flowers ... | 19602 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| My Opinion Offended You Adult Humor Novelty Sarcasm Witty Mens Funny T Shirt | 17756.6 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| People Who Tolerate Me On A Daily Basis Sarcastic Graphic Novelty Funny T Shirt | 14560.6 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Feelin Good Tees You Find It Offensive? I Find It Funny Humorous Graphic Mens Funny T-Shirt | 9014.6 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| DaLin Extra Large Temporary Tattoos Full Arm and Half Arm Tattoo Sleeves for Men Women 20 Sheets | 8668 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Hotoyannia 62 Sheets Black Large-Size Temporary Tattoos Stickers for Women Men and Girl, Includes 10 Large-Size Fake Tatto... | 7438.5 | MORE VIEW |
---|
| Sponsored Ad - EGMBGM 52 Sheets Tiny Small Temporary Tattoos For Kids Boys Girls, Tribal Animals Butterfly Anchor Compass ... | 6485.6 | MORE VIEW |
Tips: "Amazon, Amazon Prime, the Amazon logo and Amazon Prime logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates". AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE, WE EARN AFFILIATE COMMISSIONS FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.