People urged to ‘run as far as you can’ from anyone with sinister three dot tattoo

For some people, a tattoo is nothing more than an aesthetically pleasing or interesting design. But for others, their choice in ink can carry a much deeper meaning.

Some much more sinister than others.

Enter the three-dot tattoo.

Unlike more obviously threatening designs such as guns, knives, skulls, offensive symbols and phrases, the three dots doesn't appear to be a tattoo which screams violence, gangs or militant groups.

However an explainer on the design shared by Ink Ppl revealed that in the US, the design is often associated with prison culture, crime and rebellion, with the three dots representing the phrase 'Mi Vida Loca' or 'My Crazy Life'.

Placement can vary from person to person, but the tattoo is usually inked between the thumb and forefinger in a triangle shape.

The design isn't tied to any specific gang, meaning that you won't find yourself in trouble if you walk into the 'wrong' side of town, but instead represents a broad affiliation with the lifestyle.

Three dots arranged in a triangle is linked to the criminal world in some countries (X)

"If you see someone with a three-point tattoo, run as far as you can," one person ominously wrote on X of the design, while another user joked: "Imagine explaining this to your grandma."

It's not only in the US where the three dots have a sinister meaning, as the tattoo is also linked to Russian criminal circles.

In Russia there is an extensive history between criminal networks and tattoos, with eight-pointed stars, Orthodox churches, hooded executioners and eyes all having deep symbolism.

As for the three-dot tattoo, this often depicts an adherence to the criminal lifestyle.

Elsewhere, the design also has historical symbolism as being either a criminal or anti-authority tattoo in countries such as Germany and France, while in certain circles it has a religious meaning, representing the holy trinity.

More recently, the rise in popularity of minimalist tattoos has seen people getting dot designs purely for aesthetic reasons, which may cause an awkward conversation when travelling somewhere where the design has deep associations with the criminal underworld.

In El Salvador, the nationwide crackdown on crime has seen people with certain gang-affiliated tattoos arrested and jailed indefinitely, although this is unlikely to be an issue for tourists visiting the country.

The placement is usually on the hand (Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

What other tattoos are associated with gangs and crime?

Teardrop

Perhaps the most famous of all criminal tattoos, which has numerous meanings depending on the design and location.

The most popular location for this tattoo is under the eye, which can represent anything from taking a person's life to the death of a loved one and serving a lengthy prison sentence.

In circumstances where the teardrop is in reference to murder, a filled-in tattoo means the wearer has killed someone, while an outline symbolises attempted murder.

The design gained mainstream attention after being spotted on the likes of 'hot felon' Jeremy Meeks and rapper Lil Wayne.

The teardrop, as seen on 'hot felon' Jeremy Meeks (Stockton Police Department via Getty Images)

Five dots or Quincunx

Another dot design which has a long-held association with the criminal world is the 'five dots' or quincunx tattoo.

Designed like the dots on a dice, the quincunx represents a person in prison ( Rene MALTETE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

The design is typically four dots arranged around a fifth, like how it appears on a dice, and is a symbol of prison. The four outer dots signify the walls, while the central dot represents the prisoner.