Gang signal

A gang signal is a visual or verbal way gang members identify their affiliation. This can take many forms including slogans, tattoos, hand signs and colored clothing. Many of these, especially slogans and hand signs, have become part of popular culture. The wearer usually favors, or is in, that particular gang. With symbols, graffiti is a large symbol displayed on walls or trains.

Tattoos

Tattoos have long been associated with gang membership, and connote the toughness desired by gang members as well as the permanence of gang affiliation. The designs used are frequently symbolic and represent particular deeds, such as murder. Burn marks may also be a way of recognition to a gang or a gang member.

The gang symbols used in tattoos and graffiti are fairly involved and refer to the mythology and meaning that each gang may invent. For example, the Star of David represents the Folk Nation once led by a man known as King David. In addition, each point of the star represents a "value" of the "nation". Sureño, commonly associated with La Eme, use the numbers 13 and 3 to refer to themselves, referencing the fact that "M" is the 13th letter of the English alphabet.