8 Best Gangster Tattoo Designs And Ideas

If you want to showcase your style and attitude in a bold way, gangster tattoos are the way to go! These tattoos represent the core features of a gang – loyalty and strength. Affiliation to these gangs and carrying their symbolism on your skin shows power and garners respect. These tattoos are designed with faces of famous gangsters, guns, money, skulls, and cards. Some designs also contain roses to symbolize strength and protection. In this article, we have hand-picked some of the best gangster tattoo designs and ideas that capture the spirit of this fascinating subculture. Whether you want to show your loyalty or just appreciate the art, you will find a design here that will inspire you. Scroll down!

Meaning Of Gangster Tattoos

Gangster tattoos can be traced to their origins in prison culture, extending as far back as hundreds of years, particularly in the United States, Russia, and Japan. Early in the 20th century, American gangsters started adopting tattoos to symbolize loyalty to their crew or criminal organization. Russian criminal tattoos are mainly coded and symbolic, telling stories of the person’s history, rank, and experiences. In Japan, however, Yakuza tattoos were ornate and monumental, which embodied strength, honor, and loyalty to one’s gang.

These gangster tattoos often carry symbolic elements like:

• Skulls: They denote death and danger and symbolize life impermanence, reminding them of their mortality.
• Guns: Guns represent security, power, and violence. Such tattoos signify that one is ready to defend loyalty at all costs.
• Dollar Signs: Gangster tattoos show the dollar sign, representing wealth, power, and success through illegal actions.
• Roses: Roses are standard in gangster tattoos to symbolize the duality of life—love and loss, beauty and danger.
• Clocks or Hourglasses: Clocks or hourglasses symbolize the passage of time, reminding the person of mortality or even the time wasted in jail.

When combined or used alone, these elements portray a powerful message and offer a sneak peek into the wearer’s life.

Moreover, gangster tattoos have gained followers and become a symbol of rebellion or self-expression. Such tattoos have evolved to include elements of American Traditional, Neo-traditional, and Black and Grey tattooing traditions, retaining their rich history. Whether it’s bold, rebellious designs or the rich cultural narratives behind them, gangster tattoos always have something to say about what you stand for and are loyal to. Keep scrolling to check out aesthetic designs.

8 Gangster Tattoo Designs And Ideas

Earlier, Gangster tattoos were exclusively for members of a certain group. The inked design would show their connection to a certain group and represent their commitment to shared values. But these days, people get these tattoos to share their appreciation of values like power, loyalty, strength, and protection. These tattoos are inked on hands, arms, wrists, or chests where they can be easily seen. In the section below, check out our collection of gangster tattoo designs and get inspired!

1. Gangster Gun Tattoo

This ink captures the edgy spirit of street culture, symbolizing rebellion, power, and danger. The details of this gun tattoo show that the wearer values bravery and is willing to face life’s difficulties with unwavering commitment. This tattoo displays the wearer’s confident attitude and inner power.

2. Gangster King Crown Tattoo

This tattoo adds a royal touch to the wearer’s skin. The design shows the face of a fierce gangster king who confidently wears a crown. It represents authority and control. This eye-catching design shows the wearer’s distinct presence and a firm commitment to leading their territory.

3. Loyalty Gangster Tattoo

This tattoo features the word “Loyalty” inked in bold lettering, embodying a code of honor and allegiance within the gangster culture. Here, “Loyalty” represents strong commitment and friendship within a tight-knit group. This tattoo shows that the wearer values loyalty and has immense respect for the beliefs of the group. Such textual ink that shows an affiliation is also quite commonly noted in prison tattoo designs.

4. Gangster Cartoon Tattoo Design

This gangster cartoon tattoo is the perfect way of playfully displaying that street-smartness is your way of navigating city life. The smirk on the tattoo’s face shows confidence, cleverness, and urban charm. It’s a bold statement of unique personality and a tribute to the lively urban lifestyle.

5. Gangster Skull Hand Tattoo

This gangster skull tattoo has a fierce look. Its detailed design and placement show a sense of rebellion and a confident attitude. It represents the unwavering strength of the wearer even while navigating through tough times. It is a testament to human resilience and reminds the wearer of their inner strength.

6. Gangster Angel With Gun Tattoo

This tattoo of a strong but angelic character holding a gun is a mix of divine and dangerous. It represents strength and rebellion, but also safety and protection. The female gangster angel shows confidence and power, representing a person who is perceived in a negative light by some but is seen as a savior by others. This tattoo boldly shows resilience and independence.

7. Gangster Diamond Tattoo Design

The diamond-on-the-throat tattoo symbolizes wealth, power, and sophistication. This design captures the luxurious appeal of organized crime. With precise lines and shining details, the diamond shows the wearer’s drive and longing for finer things in life. This is a representation of their determination to chase success and status.

8. Gangster Evil Clown Tattoo Design

This tattoo design puts a dark spin on the usual clown. The wicked smile and threatening stare give it the gangster vibe. The play of colors brings out darkness and mischief. This clown tattoo symbolizes a disregard for rules, and exudes a rebellious charm in its twisted form It shows the wearer’s defiance and attraction to risk.

Gangster tattoos are a visual representation of belongingness, loyalty, and rebellion. Each design reflects a unique narrative of power and defiance. Whether you’re into playful cartoons or dark skulls, these tattoos show off your unique personality. They represent your will to hold on to your strengths while facing tough times and come out of them victorious. If you are inspired by a design, don’t forget to add your personal flare so that it becomes the icon of your bravery and life journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are gangster tattoos considered offensive?

Gangster tattoos are generally seen as offensive due to their associations with criminality. Many gangster tattoos denote loyalty to gangs, sometimes to acts or crime-related accomplishments, and hence may convey a wrong perception in society. Many people perceive them as indicators of a criminal lifestyle, hence the stigma attached to a person carrying these tattoos.

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Rodrigo CascoProfessional Tattoo and Body Piercing Artist

   

Rodrigo Casco is an Argentine tattoo artist. He has 21 years of experience designing tattoos. He has done tattooing by hand as well as created his own tattoo machines. He has won multiple awards and stood first in national and international tattoo conventions, is a judge at events, and also gives many seminars.

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Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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