Five Dots Tattoo
Encyclopedia
The five dots tattoo is a tattoo
of five dots arranged in a quincunx
, usually on the outer surface of the hand, between the thumb and the index finger. The tattoo has different meanings in different culture
s—it has been variously interpreted as a fertility symbol, a reminder of sayings on how to treat women or police, a recognition symbol among the Romani people, a group of close friends, standing alone in the world, or time spent in prison (with the outer four dots representing the prison walls and the inner dot representing the prisoner). Thomas Edison
, whose many inventions included a tattooing machine, had this pattern tattooed on his forearm.
, which represent the five Holy Wounds
inflicted upon Jesus during his crucifixion. In American and Canadian prisons the tattoo is worn by many Portuguese-North American inmates. This tattoo was also sometimes formerly worn by members of the Portuguese army on the hand or shoulder. It is also prevalent as a Portuguese-American and Portuguese-Canadian street tattoo.
It is also a tattoo common for the Oriental Troop gang. The Oriental Troops are Crip-affiliated, but the five dots also represent the "5" in "15," which represents the fifteenth letter of the alphabet: "O" for "Oriental." Also, in the "Oriental Culture", the five dots represent : Health, Wealth, Family, Love, and Respect.
It is also a tattoo for Vietnamese gang members. The five dots stand for the five ts, which are, Tình, Tiền, Tù, Tội, Thù, which translates to love, money, prison, crime, revenge.
Five dot tattoos also represents a senior gang member or "OG" original gangster. The original three dots represent you and the homies gangbanging with each other. Adding two more dots represents a gangster who earns the right to command others. One surrounded by others in protection.
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
of five dots arranged in a quincunx
Quincunx
A quincunx is a geometric pattern consisting of five points arranged in a cross, that is five coplanar points, four of them forming a square or rectangle and a fifth at its center...
, usually on the outer surface of the hand, between the thumb and the index finger. The tattoo has different meanings in different culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
s—it has been variously interpreted as a fertility symbol, a reminder of sayings on how to treat women or police, a recognition symbol among the Romani people, a group of close friends, standing alone in the world, or time spent in prison (with the outer four dots representing the prison walls and the inner dot representing the prisoner). Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison
Thomas Alva Edison was an American inventor and businessman. He developed many devices that greatly influenced life around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb. In addition, he created the world’s first industrial...
, whose many inventions included a tattooing machine, had this pattern tattooed on his forearm.
Portugal
The five dot pattern occurs on the five shields (themselves arranged in a quincunx) on the flag of PortugalFlag of Portugal
The flag of Portugal is the national flag of the Portuguese Republic. It is a rectangular bicolour with a field unevenly divided into green on the hoist, and red on the fly. The lesser version of the national coat of arms is centered over the colour boundary at equal distance from the upper and...
, which represent the five Holy Wounds
Holy Wounds
The Five Holy Wounds or Five Sacred Wounds refer to what are believed to be the five piercing wounds that was suffered during the crucifixion of Jesus....
inflicted upon Jesus during his crucifixion. In American and Canadian prisons the tattoo is worn by many Portuguese-North American inmates. This tattoo was also sometimes formerly worn by members of the Portuguese army on the hand or shoulder. It is also prevalent as a Portuguese-American and Portuguese-Canadian street tattoo.
Europe
In France, Romania and Greece, tattoos of a quincunx, placed on the hand between index finger and thumb are found on prison inmates.United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the quincunx tattoo, on the web between thumb and forefinger, is a prison tattoo reflecting the view of women by those wearing it - Find Her, Follow Her, Finger Her, Fuck Her, Forget Her.'United States
In the United States, the five dot tattoo could mean you are a member of the Blood or People Nation gangs that represent the points on the five-pointed star. It is usually put on the left hand.It is also a tattoo common for the Oriental Troop gang. The Oriental Troops are Crip-affiliated, but the five dots also represent the "5" in "15," which represents the fifteenth letter of the alphabet: "O" for "Oriental." Also, in the "Oriental Culture", the five dots represent : Health, Wealth, Family, Love, and Respect.
It is also a tattoo for Vietnamese gang members. The five dots stand for the five ts, which are, Tình, Tiền, Tù, Tội, Thù, which translates to love, money, prison, crime, revenge.
Five dot tattoos also represents a senior gang member or "OG" original gangster. The original three dots represent you and the homies gangbanging with each other. Adding two more dots represents a gangster who earns the right to command others. One surrounded by others in protection.