# Meaning Behind "Teardrop Tatoo" **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 15, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511 "2004-01-15T02:20:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/1 "2004-01-15T02:20:58Z")
I was at the libary this afternoon and there was a patron in line ahead of me and he was seeking information about having his criminal record expunged. I noticed he had a teardrop tatoo just down from the corner of his eye. Doesn’t that tatoo mean “murderer?” But now that I think about it, there was a musical with Johnny Depp in it and he had a teardrop tatoo also. I don’t remember why he had it or anything else about the movie. Ricki Lake may have been in it to. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/2 "2004-01-15T02:54:06Z")
Not necessarily “murderer” no. From [this article](http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2001503076_tattoo140.html), a book review of “The Tattoo Encyclopedia”: > [@](#): > > A teardrop has a prison connection; sorrowful time served, sadness over an imprisoned loved one, or the number of people an inmate killed. (No mention of a sad clown.) ---
**Author:** ![DrunkenNinjaMaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce7236/32.png) [@DrunkenNinjaMaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrunkenNinjaMaster)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/3 "2004-01-15T03:05:26Z")
> [@Isabelle](#): > > I was at the libary this afternoon and there was a patron in line ahead of me and he was seeking information about having his criminal record expunged. > > I noticed he had a teardrop tatoo just down from the corner of his eye. > > Doesn’t that tatoo mean “murderer?” > > But now that I think about it, there was a musical with Johnny Depp in it and he had a teardrop tatoo also. I don’t remember why he had it or anything else about the movie. Ricki Lake may have been in it to. > > Thanks I’ve had a few different people tell me it it represents how many years you’ve been in prison. This guy - only one? Not too sure, though. ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/4 "2004-01-15T03:34:55Z")
A friend who actually did time told me it can have different conotations depending which side of the face the tattoo is on as well as whether it is shaded in or an outline only. For most people it merely means a loss, usually of a loved one or close friend, but it can mean murder(either comitted by the bearer or to someone he knows.) This would have been true only among the white boys in a specific prison, though, I’m sure it varies by region and ethnic group/gang affiliation. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/5 "2004-01-15T05:53:34Z")
Early searches point to an “it depends on the location” kind of deal. Looks like in Wisconsin it has that meaning: [http://www.wisbar.org/res/capp/2001/01-0504.htm](http://www.wisbar.org/res/capp/2001/01-0504.htm) > [@](#): > > 1. In his pretrial motion, Herrera sought an order precluding the State from introducing evidence of Herrera’s gang membership and the significance of a teardrop tattoo on his face. Witnesses indicated that the teardrop tattoo is “earned” by killing someone. In Washington we have this case: [http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/102649](http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/102649) > [@](#): > > Prosecutors will recommend that Michael Koehler, 18, of Kent, serve 25 years when he is sentenced on Oct. 4. He shuffled into the courtroom Wednesday, chained at the waist and ankles and sporting a teardrop tattoo at the corner of his right eye that he got after the slaying. The tattoo means he has killed someone. Now in Texas, it is a different deal: [http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/73591.htm](http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/73591.htm) > [@](#): > > [Prosector] Q. [L]et’s start with the teardrop tatoo [sic]. What is the significance or meaning of that tatoo [sic] as has been your experience as a gang intelligence officer? > > [Appellant] A. . . . There are several meanings to the teardrop. . . . One is for loss of a homeboy or friend. One particular reason is for how many times you’ve been to the jail. And one time it is noted as this is the last time I’ll ever cry. [http://www.masscomm.txstate.edu/graduate/guerrero/James%20Michael%20Briddle.htm](http://www.masscomm.txstate.edu/graduate/guerrero/James%20Michael%20Briddle.htm) > [@](#): > > Briddle had many tattoos including teardrop tattoos. There are two schools of thought about these tattoos, according to Bailey. “One is that the person is void of tears and can only show them by a tattoo. The other is that a member of your family had died.” Just google for: teardrop tattoo murder And you will get more cases. Interesting stuff, just be careful if you just look for “Tattoos”, some links there are not safe for work. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/6 "2004-01-15T09:01:14Z")
> [@Isabelle](#): > > But now that I think about it, there was a musical with Johnny Depp in it and he had a teardrop tatoo also. I don’t remember why he had it or anything else about the movie. Ricki Lake may have been in it to. Ricki Lake was indeed in it as were Traci Lords and Iggy Pop among others. The film was [_Crybaby_](http://www.google.com/search?as_q=crybaby+%22john+waters%22&num=10&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&btnG=Google+Search&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&lr=&as_ft=i&as_filetype=&as_qdr=all&as_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images) directed by John Waters. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/7 "2004-01-15T11:38:31Z")
Down here in Very South Texas, the teardrop facial tattoo pretty much exclusively refers to the death of a lifelong friend or beloved. And is not really a mark of pride. If, for example, I was in a car crash that was my fault, and my girlfriend died, I would get such a tattoo. If I didn’t have to balls to kill myself, that is. I’d rather die, I think. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/8 "2004-01-15T15:55:15Z")
All of the above are correct; the meaning of the tattoo changes depending on region and association. There isn’t really much of a central governing body or voting authority for this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/9 "2004-01-15T16:52:17Z")
I often heard that a spiderweb on the elbow meant that person murdered someone. Of course I see a million people walking around with that so either it’s not true or :eek: ---
**Author:** ![labmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f19dbf/32.png) [@labmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/labmonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/10 "2004-01-15T17:34:22Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I often heard that a spiderweb on the elbow meant that person murdered someone. Of course I see a million people walking around with that so either it’s not true or :eek: Spiderwebs usually refer to drug addiction or time served. ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/11 "2004-01-15T17:35:43Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > I often heard that a spiderweb on the elbow meant that person murdered someone. Of course I see a million people walking around with that so either it’s not true or :eek: I’d always heard the spiderweb meant you’d served time. As in caught in the “web” of prison. **Pravnik** hit it though, the tattoos mean different things to different people. Certain gangs may have specified meanings, but those aren’t a nationwide standard or anything. Too, some of it is just tough guy posturing. Some teardrop tattoos only mean “I think this looks pretty cool/tough/badass”. FWIW, I’ve heard the teardrop means you’ve killed someone, either on purpose or accidentally or by your actions (i.e you started a confrontation that ultimately got your buddy killed). YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Serpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3be4f8/32.png) [@Silver\_Serpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Serpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meaning-behind-teardrop-tatoo/224511/12 "2004-01-15T18:02:26Z")
Well, you also have to remember that any tattoo that “looks neat” could very easily be picked up by some kids who want a neat looking tattoo without realizing what the actual meaning of it is. I’ve seen 1 or 2 beautiful teardrop tattoos. Neither of them were on people who looked like they killed anyone - more like, “Hey, that looks neat! I want one!”