Gang signs are verbal or visual ways that gang members use to identify their affiliation. These signs can take various forms, including hand signs, slogans, colored clothing, and graffiti. Hand signs are one of the most known and obvious forms of "claiming" or stating the gang one is affiliated with. They are made by forming the fingers on one or both hands to make a symbol or letter. Gang members may also use tattoos to represent their gang or subset of a gang, which can include markings related to the street their set is from or a nickname of the neighborhood given by a gang. Additionally, gang members may use specific clothing and other forms of identification to signify their affiliation. Its important to note that gang signs can cause confusion among gang members, non-gang members, and anti-gang authorities, as many of these hand signals are quite close to other common hand signs.
Gang signs are a part of the larger language and communication methods used by gang members to identify themselves and communicate with each other. These signs, along with graffiti, colors, and tattoos, serve as indicators of gang affiliation. Recognizing these signs is important for parents, teachers, and community members to spot gang activity in their families, schools, and communities.
In summary, gang signs are a form of nonverbal communication used by gang members to identify their affiliation and communicate with each other. They can take the form of hand signs, slogans, colored clothing, and graffiti, and are an important aspect of gang culture and identification.
