Prison tattoos is a catch-all term for several different tattoo traditions associated with the criminal world and prisons, not one coherent, official dictionary of symbols. In Poland, the term most often refers to signs that originated in Grypsera, a prison subculture that developed its own language and internal hierarchy over several decades. Alongside it are separate traditions, such as the American teardrop under the eye and Latino dot patterns, which have different origins and equally ambiguous meanings. This article distinguishes between these traditions, shows what specific sources say about individual signs, and explains why a single design in a photo cannot be read like a personal record.
- Grypsera probably took shape in Polish prisons in the 19th century and divides inmates into “those who belong to Grypsera” and “outsiders”—a distinction that also determines who is even entitled to wear a given sign.
- Dots near the eye, the “haze,” and epaulettes are specific elements of the Polish prison code described in sources, but they vary between prisons and periods, so no list is a complete dictionary.
- The teardrop under the eye belongs to a separate, mainly American tradition of criminal tattoos and is associated with several different events at once, depending on the community in which it appears.
- Wearing an unearned sign in this community carries real consequences, which is why a design alone should never be treated as proof of someone’s past.
What is Grypsera, and where did prison tattoos come from?
Grypsera, the Polish prison subculture, most likely originated in the 19th century in the Russian partition, and Warsaw’s Gęsiówka prison is considered its birthplace (source: Grypsera – Wikipedia). From the beginning, it divided inmates into two groups: “those who belonged to Grypsera,” or the initiated, and “outsiders,” who used ordinary language and were not part of this internal structure (source: Grypsera – Wikipedia). This distinction was not merely verbal—it also determined who had the right to wear a particular tattoo and under what circumstances.
A tattoo was therefore a visual extension of this internal language and hierarchy, not a decoration that anyone could choose freely. A mark on the skin told other inmates about a person’s position, past, or offenses before they had even spoken. That is precisely why interpreting these designs today calls for caution: what had a precise, internal meaning in this community is now sometimes copied elsewhere purely for its appearance, without any awareness of its original context.
The teardrop under the eye: several competing meanings, not just one
The teardrop under the eye is probably the most recognizable motif associated with prison tattoos, but it comes from a separate tradition of criminal tattoos described mainly in an American context, not from Polish Grypsera. In this tradition, it is associated with committing or attempting murder, time spent in prison, or the loss of a loved one connected to a gang—and which of these meanings applies depends on the specific community and group in which the design appeared (source: Criminal tattoo – Wikipedia).
This divergence clearly shows why a symbol seen in a photo does not explain itself. Without knowing the specific community in which it originated, it is impossible to determine which of its several possible meanings applies—and often, even knowing the community is not enough, because the people who wear it can be ambiguous about it themselves. To someone looking in from the outside, the design alone therefore proves nothing specific and should not be interpreted literally.
Dots and marks around the eye in the Polish Grypsera code
Unlike the teardrop, several signs described in sources as part of the Polish prison code relate directly to the area around the eye and have their own documented names. The table below brings these examples together with their sources—but it is worth remembering that they are examples from a particular account, not a complete, official list.
| Sign | Attributed meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A dot on the outer side of the left eye | Called “cynkówka” or “cynkwajs”; indicates an inmate who belongs to Grypsera. | Tattoo – Wikipedia |
| A dot on the right side of the eye | Applied by force; marks demotion to the status of a victim and is not the wearer’s choice. | Tattoo – Wikipedia |
| A tattoo around the eye and eyelid (the “haze”) | Signals membership in the Grypsera subculture. | Tattoo – Wikipedia |
| Epaulettes (imitating military ranks, such as captain or colonel) | Indicate a position in the internal hierarchy, not an actual military rank. | Tattoo – Wikipedia |
It is worth noting the second row of this table: a dot on the right side of the eye is not a tattoo someone chooses for themselves, but a mark applied against the wearer’s will as a form of demotion. This is a good illustration of how, in this system, the circumstances in which a tattoo was created tell us more than the mere fact that someone has one—and someone looking in from the outside usually does not know those circumstances. In addition, these signs vary between prisons and periods, so no single source, including this article, should be treated as the definitive key to interpreting them.
Dots on the hand, three dots, and other signs found outside Poland
Beyond the area around the eye, the Polish Grypsera code also describes signs on the hand: a dot between the thumb and index finger is sometimes associated with a career as a thief, while a tattoo of the moon is associated with night-time theft (source: Tattoo – Wikipedia). This is still part of the same Polish tradition, simply transferred from the face to the hand.
Dot patterns that many people associate with prison tattoos because of films and TV shows have a completely different origin: they come from the traditions of Latino gangs. Three dots arranged in a triangle, most often tattooed on the hand, are read as an abbreviation of “mi vida loca,” meaning “my crazy life” (source: Criminal tattoo – Wikipedia). Five dots are a different, separate design: four represent the walls, while the fifth, placed in the center, represents the prisoner and refers to having served a sentence (source: Criminal tattoo – Wikipedia). Three dots and five dots look similar at first glance, but refer to completely different things—another reason why counting dots in a photo is no substitute for knowing the specific tradition from which a design comes.
Why these tattoos arouse suspicion, and why it is worth thinking carefully
In the community from which the code described above originates, wearing an unearned sign is taken seriously and carries real consequences—it is a system based on honor, not on freely chosen decoration (source: Russian criminal tattoos – Wikipedia). Outside this community, however, the same symbols are sometimes interpreted literally by employers, acquaintances, or casual observers who do not know their history or the qualifications discussed in this article. This can lead to misunderstandings wholly out of proportion to the wearer’s intentions, especially when the design is permanent.
This is a good moment to distinguish between two different things: the aesthetic itself—that is, a bold, raw design—and an actual reference to this specific symbolism. Before anyone decides on something permanent, it is worth reading our guide on how to choose your first tattoo design and the right place on your body, while our comparison of temporary and permanent tattoos can help anyone still deciding between a temporary and a permanent version.
How to try a bold, rebellious style without a permanent commitment
A temporary or semi-permanent tattoo lets you see how a bold, underground design looks on your own skin—its size, placement, and contrast with your skin tone—before anyone decides on a permanent version. This option draws on the same striking visual style associated with the traditions described above, but does not refer to any specific code or status in a real-life subculture.
A second example of the same style is the neo-traditional design of a snake coiling around a cracked Greek bust, which combines a dramatic, underground mood with a classical composition, without referring to any of the symbols described above. Both designs belong to the Temporary Gangster Tattoos collection, where you can look for similar bold designs for your hand, forearm, or another visible area.
This kind of tattoo disappears if someone changes their mind about the look or placement, giving them time to think through the decision instead of making it based solely on the aesthetic. You can find out more about symbolism you can try in a similar way in our articles on the meaning of patriotic tattoos and Slavic tattoos, while our complete guide to tattoos offers a general overview of tattoos as a subject.
The symbols described in this article have a history and, in some cases, real consequences for people who are actually part of the community from which they originate. Outside that community, these same designs are sometimes used today purely for their aesthetic—a bold, striking, and visually interesting one—with no claim to the meaning they originally carried. Knowing the difference helps you make an informed decision, whether you are considering a temporary design or something permanent.
