There are many distinctive versions of the three dots tattoo and many meanings, ranging from simple and aesthetic to dark and complicated. The three dots can be arranged in various ways, depending on the motive, and can also be shaded or colored slightly differently to allow for several options in design. The three dots, sorted in a triangular shape, can represent an outlaw lifestyle, alluding to gang influence and serving time in prison. It’s not unusual to see one person with the three dots tattooed with others with similar tats. It does not necessarily mean they are still in gangs, but there is a good chance they were once part of the underground and are proud of it.
The simple and small black dots are often placed on the facial area between the eye and the temple, making it especially visible. The placement serves as a portrait of the rebellion, prominence of crime, and counterculture in the individual’s life. It is made so visible because the owner wants others to know that they live a “hard” life. It is a way to frighten others both inside and outside of prison. It’s also a way for other gang members to quickly notice one of their own, which is much easier because they have the same tattoo on their faces.
The more noticeable the location of the three dots, the more obnoxious crime is in the person’s world. Some people will get this tattoo next to their eyes, while others might get the design on their hands or arm. It all comes down to how well the owner wants other people to recognize his gang affiliation. Sometimes, gang members don’t have a choice since everyone in their gang gets this tattoo in the same area.
The dots in the three dots tattoo symbolize the Latin American way of ” mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life” in Spanish, where each dot stands for one word. This is one of the many motives why the three dots are held so close together. This is common among gangs all over the Americas and other gangs that adopt this “gangster” lifestyle.
The triangularly shaped dots design can be placed in different but obvious locations on the body, like on the hand or fingers, to point out the lifestyle to others. This style of three-dot tattoo is sometimes done while incarcerated and is taken very seriously as a gang symbol.
Recently, tattoo designs made out of three single dots do not always mean that these people are affiliated with a gangster lifestyle. Sometimes, the dots are designed and tattooed this way just because of the symmetry of the motif. Owners of these tattoo designs can come up with three-dot tattoo meanings since many things use the number three. For example, someone who wants an inexpensive and private tattoo design might get the three dots tattoo to represent three crucial moments or people in their lives.
Artists can draw the dots in a straight, horizontal or vertical line, or diagonal. This is done just for the minimalist appearance. There are thousands of design variations that you can use with the three dots tattoo when you’re not getting it as a gang-member tattoo.
This image of three dots can carry religious significance also. Number three references the Christianity Holy Trinity and illustrates the Son, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.
A crucifix or other religious iconography can accompany the three dots to clarify the intention of the tattoo. However, the additional imagery should be clean and straightforward so that the three dots are shown rather than hidden.
Stars or the moon work well with the dots to design a minimalist constellation motif.
It’s not uncommon for someone to get a three-dot tattoo to represent both their religious side and their “crazy” side. Plenty of prisoners find religion behind bars, so they would find the three-dot tattoo perfect.
In a literary interpretation, the three dots represent a grammatical element that implies the incompletion of a thought or phrase, and it’s called an ellipsis. The ellipsis insinuates that something is not stated but possibly implied, a sentence that leaves a question. The ellipsis tattoo symbolizes continuation, a path or life journey that leads to something more, for better or worse. It represents something that can be said or written but is better left unsaid.
Interestingly, people often use, design, or incorporate a five-dot tattoo. These two tattoo designs have different meanings, though they can look quite similar. With the five-dot tattoo, the owner is dedicated to displaying that they are the fifth dot inside the other four dots, representing their time behind bars.
The number three has a couple of meanings, and the three dots design might have more to do with the number thee than the dots. Someone might get the three dots design to embody “motivation” because that is one of the known meanings for the number three. This is another reason you should refrain from assuming that this tattoo always means that the design owner is or ever was in a gang. However, if you want to use the number three in this way, try finding another design other than the three dots tattoo to make sure everything is clear.
The three dots were also used because they are cheap and easy tattoos to get. Three friends might get this design to represent their friendship, though these tattoos are rarely on the face. These cheap tattoos are often done outside a tattoo parlor since anyone can make a dot with a needle. We don’t recommend making your tattoos, but it’s undoubtedly expected and common.
The three dots design might represent something intimate and personal to the owner. This design could define loved ones or even personal goals. It’sIt’s an inexpensive tattoo with multiple meanings for the owner; they just wanted anything that could convey those meanings.
That said, the three dots tattoo is generally seen as a prison, especially when it is drawn on the owner’s face. That doesn’tdoesn’t mean you should assume that the person is gang-affiliated, but it is the most common meaning.
You have a lot to reconsider if you plan to get three dots tattoos. If you wish to be seen as something other than a gang tattoo, it would be best to avoid getting it in a triangular form and to avoid getting it on or around your face. You can easily get the three dots to blend in with a more significant design if you want a three-dip tattoo.
It’s surprising that this tattoo has so much symbolism. While it is a tattoo design that was sometimes seen as just another gang-related tattoo, it now has all the symbolism and meanings listed above and plenty of others. In all honesty, it’s a tattoo you’ll want to avoid altogether unless you find a unique design that will only confuse people.
