American tattoo culture is, by its very nature, a complex blend of violence, a sense of belonging and bravado.
Some tattoos are exclusively reserved for those who have served time in prison. Take the spider web tattoo, for example, which signifies that the wearer has been in prison for so long that time has literally woven a web across their body. Others are even more explicit: the teardrop, for instance, usually indicates that you have killed someone with your own hands or are commemorating someone who has passed away.
Of course, tattoos also serve a more common purpose.
Gangs.
In many places, a tattoo isn’t just a design; it's a flag or a sign that proves who you belong to and who you answer to. It also shows who you'd cut down for. They give you a sense of belonging and let your pee
