Meaning of teardrop tattoos

[Sorrel]

What does it mean when people have teardrops tattooed on their cheeks? Have heard a variety of explainations from borstal rite of passage to neo-nazi id to pierrott fetishism. Can any one help me?

[moonacre]

In some parts of the USA it is commonly seen as a symbol of having served time in prison (tends also to be gang related).

[snotmonkey]

a man with a teardrop tattoo means a jobless, hopeless drain on the state with about 15 kids running riot over their estate

[joebananas]

I think it is known as a "Borstal Spot" i.e. "look at me I've been in Bortsal"! Why anyone would want to brand themselves in such a way is a mystery to me though.

[rubrduk]

a female friend of mine had a tear tat on the corner of her eye - she said it was for a friend who was killed

[Lema12]

For my understanding it has a unknown history. From reasearch  it's origin comes from Mexico & Puerto Rico. It symbolizes a death of a close friend or relative. It also can be for a killing that someone might of done or  just simply for doing time in the cat...