Three Dots Tattoo
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A tattoo consisting of three dots in a triangle, usually found on the skin between the thumb and forefinger, is popular amongst gang members of varying cultures. For Hispanic and Asian gangs, the three dots signify "mi vida loca" ("my crazy life") in Spanish, and "tôi ở cần gì cả" ("I need nothing") in Vietnamese[1] As a Sureño (gang) symbol, the tattoo is worn between thumb and forefinger because it is believed to be harder to remove. The Sureño gang number is thirteen, using Arabic or Roman numerals, or a combination of both: 13, XIII, or X3. This signifies the 13th letter of the alphabet, the letter M, meaning "La Eme" or "The M"; the Mexican Mafia. Numerals are also incorporated into the tattoos, such as Tres Puntos ("Three dots") or X3, which is the representation for the number 13 within the Aztec numeral system.[citation needed] This may explain the origins of the tattoo amongst hispanic gang members. However, along with the pachuco cross, the three dots is also a popular "generic" tattoo among Hispanic teenagers with no gang involvement whatsoever.
This is also popular in German prisons among current and former convicts as a symbol of their time done behind bars. Generally it implies the person does not know, see or hear anything and has therefore no information for the police. This tattoo also usually appears on the skin between the thumb and forefinger. Also for some groups it means 'I hate cops.'
In France, the dots stand for 'Mort Aux Vaches', literally 'Death to cows', in slang 'Death to cops'. It can also be interpreted as 'Fuck the World'. In Greece, the three dots in a triangle signify affiliation with anarchist beliefs/ideals (The three dots can be seen as points of the letter "A", the symbol for many anarchists around the world).
The three dots in a triangle are also used as a protective symbol for hobos, sailors, and convicts, known as "hobo dots." Among sailors it's a traditional tattoo to get on their first voyage.
The three dots in a triangle are also used widely in the southeast region of Turkey as a symbol of being one of the tribesmen. The three dot symbol is known as "Gormem, Duymam, Soylemem" meaning that "I hear nothing, I see nothing and I tell nothing". Bearing this mark is an oath to the person's own society, and requires great responsibility such as being willing to sacrifice himself in favor of the society.
One old association of the three-dot tattoo is that of the witch's mark. Though this mark may have been in any number of bodily locations in the more distant past, many Traditional Witchcraft practitioners receive the triangular three-dot symbol on a ring finger where it can be easily hidden from unfriendly eyes (but easily revealed to those of the Faith). The witch's mark is also called the "mark of Cain" or the "toad's footprint." Sometimes this mark merely indicates an Initiate in the Craft. However, it more frequently indicates a High Priestess or High Priest.
