Discover

A 'gang signal' is a way for most gangs to identify themselves to both their members and rivals. Traditionally, these signals or signs have manifested themselves in gang-related clothing, attire, tattoos, graffiti, and hand signs. Although some signals and signs are fairly standard among larger gangs, many change from neighborhood to neighborhood or subgroup to subgroup.

Contents

Tattoos

Graffiti

Hand signs

Other signs

External links

Tattoos

Tattoos have long been associated with gang membership, and connote the toughness desired by gang members as well as the permanence of gang affiliation. The designs used are frequently symbolic and often occur again and again in the symbolism of a particular gang, with some variation from area to area or to represent particular deeds (murder being one example).
The gang symbols used in tattoos and graffiti are sometimes fairly involved, and often refer to the mythology and meaning that a gang may invent for itself. For example, the Star of David represents the Folk Nation once led by a man known as King David. In addition, each point of the star represents a "value" of the "nation." Norteños, commonly associated with Nuestra Familia, use the numbers 14 and 4 to refer to themselves, referencing the fact that "N" is the 14th letter of the English alphabet. Tidewater and North Carolina Hoodies often associate with the hourglass. The Elizabeth City Mafia use an hourglass with 3 strips on top.

Graffiti

Graffiti has also long been seen as a gang activity and is most related to the fact that many gangs have particular areas that they always try to control. As above, the graffiti is often very symbolic and may contain more information, such as what activities the gang participates in and with whom they are at war. However, while gangs may bring graffiti, it is not the result or an indicator of significant ''gang'' activity.
Most often, gangs spray graffiti to mark territory or send a threat to a rival gang. When at war with another gang, they may visit locations the rival gang has already made their mark upon, crossing out the names of enemies they have killed, or simply covering up the rival. This is also known as a "mark out" graffiti.^[1]

Hand signs

"Throwing up" a gang sign (or "Stacking") with the hands is one of the most known and obvious forms of "claiming." It is used in many situations where other identifiers may not be possible or appropriate, and can also show that a gang member is in the area to "do business" as opposed to just passing through. Usually these signs are made by formation of the fingers on one or both hands to make some sort of symbol or letter.^[2] It can also serve to relay more specific information, such as what set they represent within a larger gang or in which activities they are currently taking part. Individual letters can be used to tell stories when flashed in rapid succession, each representing a word beginning with that letter. These signs, because they are displayed only when wanted (as opposed to the types of identifiers above) are usually the most consistent across various areas. Many of these hand signals are quite close to other common hand signs, and this can cause confusion amongst gang members, non-gang members, and anti-gang authorities. Stacking is also known as a walk.
Another identifier that can be displayed only when desired is a gang handshake, which usually includes some component of the gang hand signs and/or other symbols.^[3]

Other signs

'Walks' are sets of intricate foot movements used either to identify or otherwise communicate with fellow members. Most well-known among these are the Crip walk and its counterpart, the Blood walk. While they may be confused for dance, these movements should not be imitated by non-gang members because of their meaning to those affiliated with these organizations.
In order to be discreet, the Bloods have come up with their own language codes that will mean nothing to an outsider, but will have meaning to anyone within the gang.

External links

Gang Sign Image Resource