The teardrop tattoo
is one of the most well-known in the prison system and can have various meanings. Most often, if you see an inmate with a teardrop tattoo under their eye, it means they are serving a long sentence or have already committed murder. In this context, the teardrop symbolizes the sadness and grief of the victim’s mother.
This tattoo can also mean that the person attempted murder or that a friend of the prisoner was murdered and he wants revenge.
In simple terms, a tear filled with ink means that the prisoner already has at least one crime to his credit, and with each subsequent murder, a new tear is added.
If
the tear hasn’t dried, it may indicate that the “work” isn’t finished: the prisoner is expressing a desire for revenge after the death of a loved one, a friend, or even a fellow inmate. This shows that he doesn’t feel a thirst for vengeance and that only once this objective is achieved will he be able to “dry his tear” and sleep peacefully… in his cell.
