A drama mask tattoo is a popular marking as a tattoo. It is done traditionally by  |
inserting the ink into the layers of the skin. These tattoos are predominately used to indicate a period of sadness or tragedy that the person has gone through. One very common group that wear these types of ‘tats’ as they are commonly called are gang members. They use these to signal a period of happiness and a period of sadness or misery in their lives. This is usually accompanied with a tear drop that tells that they have lost a friend.
Tattoos date back to as far as 3000 BC and the use of drama mask tattoos only took hold in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Before this time tattoos were much more symbolic of being involved in a group or gang of some kind. Though it was very rare that you found anyone tattooing themselves based on previous moods or emotions. This caught on as the craze to show ‘who we are’ took root in the 1990’s. Unfortunately a symbol that was once used by many to cite involvement in the cultural arts now is prominent and indicative gang member signs.
The drama mask tattoo or what is better known as the comedy tragedy mask tattoo is indicative of the MS13 or Mara Salvtrucha, originally from El Salvador an extremely violent country. This has led to a very restrained use of this type of body marking. We do encourage extreme caution when you intend to adorn yourself with tattoos. Sometimes a simple name can even be an indication of affiliation of some sort and can put your life or even your loved ones in jeopardy.
With respect to what many people call the happy and sad clown, better known as the drama mask tattoo, we advise individuals not to get the tattoo. It might lead to danger for people around you. Much like the Yakuza in Japan the wearing of tattoos signifies not just group affiliation but has religious and social implications as well. It tells where you are in the social structure and can even damage you reputation unintentionally. Here is an example of a Drama Mask Tattoo on a gang member.
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