Gang markings are gestures used to identify gang members or allies. They can be threatening or used for peaceful passage. Gang signs have a long history and can be used by any society. Understanding gang signs can be helpful for safety in areas with gang problems.
Gang markings are hand or body gestures used to identify rival gang members or comrades. They are band specific and often include displaying numbers or letters. Gang signs can also function in a similar way to sign language, with some gestures denoting intention or action.
Typically, gang markings show allegiance or allegiance to a particular gang. “Stacking” a gang sign in public can help identify potential allies or enemies. It can also be a threatening gesture or an attempt to be harsh, to frighten non-gang rivals or passers-by. This can lead to confusion, as many gang signs are similar to non-gang related gestures, and showing the wrong sign can lead to dangerous confrontations.
The history of gang signs is quite ancient and probably develops from the first secret societies and hidden groups. Identifying signs that are unobtrusive and known to have meaning only to the initiates have been used quite frequently throughout history. The gesture may not need to be a specific sign; handshakes and secret passwords can also be used to tag friends in dangerous situations, and are used by some gangs nowadays. In the Christian Bible’s Book of Judges, the Gileadites are able to tell friend from foe after a huge battle by asking them to speak a password that their enemies cannot pronounce correctly: shibboleth. The term has come to mean a password or identifying feature; gang marks are essentially a shibboleth.
Some signs may indicate intent or convey other information. If they pass through a gang area, some gangs have special signs to explain that they are in business or just passing through. Between gangs with strained relationships, a sign for peaceful passage can prevent a dangerous and even violent encounter. On the other hand, if rival gang members choose to ignore the sign, it can act as a taunt. The signs can also indicate the outcome of gang affairs such as drug deals or fights, but can also be used to indicate the outcome of any endeavor.
Gang cartels do not necessarily have to be affiliated with street gangs or illegal behavior. Societies of all kinds may have physical gestures or rituals that distinguish them from one another. A secret or repeated handshake between friends or an oft-repeated back and forth can serve as an identifying feature, just as a gang sign can. The purpose of the band signals is to distinguish the initiate from the rest of the world; it is a sign of kinship in uncertain or unwelcome territory.
While some choose to join gangs filled with violence and lawlessness, others choose to join socially acceptable “gangs,” such as sports teams, book clubs, or even groups of longtime friends. Identifying gestures aren’t necessarily bad, and certainly not just associated with a criminal lifestyle. However, if you live in an area with a serious gang problem, it might be wise to look into police information about local gangs and even try looking for their specific signs. Understanding what you are seeing going on among local gang members can be helpful in terms of security and can prevent you from accidentally throwing the wrong message.
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