Dark meaning behind the five-dot tattoo on people’s hands

Tattoos are a very unique form of expression, with every work of art having different meanings. However, one specific type of tattoo is now getting a lot of attention: the ‘five-dot tattoo’ on the hand, which has a very dark meaning.

In today’s society, tattoos are widely accepted and praised. However, the debate over whether it’s an art form will never end. Some mean it “destroys” the body, while others see it as something you wear just like clothes or jewelry. It becomes a part of one’s identity, and most times, the ink has a deeper meaning.

Some get tattoos to honor a family member, friend, or pet, while others mark a special occasion or simply find a particular design beautiful.

Per Tattoo Wizard, Archaeologists believe the world’s first tattoos date back between 3370 BC and 3100 BC, after discovering tattooed skin on ancient mummified remains. However, some experts think the practice may be even older, with evidence suggesting people were tattooing their skin as early as 2100 BC.

Over the years, traces of early tattoo culture have been uncovered across the globe, from China and Sudan to Russia and the Philippines. The discoveries show that tattooing was far more than a local tradition, but a widespread practice shared by many ancient civilizations.

While many tattoos might be beautiful and have a special meaning, there are some types that one should be aware of what they mean.

People are just learning the dark meaning behind the five-dot tattoo on people’s hands

Speaking with The Sun, Claudio Traina, a tattoo artist based in England and Italy, says it’s important that people who plan to get a tattoo do their research beforehand, as it is a permanent decision.

“Facial tear drop tattoos in North America hold strong meanings linked to criminal activity,” she said. “In Russia, the prison tattoos hold such strong meanings that if you misrepresent yourself through tattoos, you will lose fingers.

The tattoo artist added, “Nowadays, people do these kinds of tattoos just for the aesthetic, which can make things complicated if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Recently, one specific tattoo has drawn attention. On Reddit, one user wrote he had noticed a special tattoo on his neighbor’s hand.

“I’ve got a new neighbour and noticed he had this tattoo, too – it’s super simple, five dots in a cross shape, kinda like the Portuguese coat of arms near the thumb on his hand. It’s weird because I’ve run into guys with that exact same tattoo a bunch of times; even the waiter on my recent vacation had one. Anyone know what it means? And why do people from such different places have it?” the Reddit user asked.

“Four walls of the cell”

He got a quick response and learned its dark meaning.

In the replies, one person said: “Are you talking about a quincunx? If so, the most common one is a prison tattoo. The four outer dots represent the four walls of the cell and the central dot represents the prisoner.”

For some people, the tattoo symbolizes time spent in prison. The four outer dots are said to represent the walls of a prison cell, while the dot in the middle represents the person trapped inside.

It’s a dark, deeply symbolic design that has long been associated with life behind bars. The tattoo is most commonly found on the hand, especially between the thumb and forefinger.

The five-dot symbol is said to be associated with the People Nation gang in Chicago and the Nuestra Familia prison gang in Northern California. On Reddit, other users chimmed in with what they believed the tattoo meant.

“If I got out of jail, the last thing I’d want to do is get a tattoo to show everyone I’d been inside. But that’s just me, who knows,” one person said.

Another added, “You might be proud of that and want to show it off with a tattoo, who knows,” while a third questioned if it possibly meant the process of turning “theur life around.”

What do you think of tattoos? Please share your opinion in the comment section.

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