When driving around Los Angeles County, you will notice a lot of graffiti from different gangs. The different Blood sets in LA use graffiti to mark their turf, this shows other gangs and people to proceed with caution when entering these areas.

To be clear there is not just 1 type of blood gang graffiti tag that is universal for all bloods. There are hundreds of different Blood sets and each one uses a different graffiti tag to mark their hood!

What’s Graffiti used for?

Gangs often use graffiti for various purposes, including:

1. Marking Territory: Gang graffiti can serve as a way to claim and mark territory. By tagging buildings, walls, and other surfaces with their symbols or colors, gangs establish their presence in a particular area and signal to rival gangs that they control that territory.
2. Communication: Graffiti can be a means of communication within the gang itself, conveying messages, warnings, or instructions to members. Certain symbols or tags may carry specific meanings understood only by those within the gang.
3. Intimidation: Gang graffiti can intimidate rival gangs or residents of a neighborhood. Bold, aggressive tags and symbols can instill fear and assert dominance over a particular area.
4. Recruitment: Graffiti can also be used as a recruitment tool. Gangs may use graffiti to attract potential members or glorify their lifestyle, presenting it as desirable or glamorous.
5. Identity and Recognition: Graffiti serves as a visual representation of a gang’s identity. Tags, symbols, and colors associated with a particular gang help members identify each other and distinguish themselves from rival groups.
6. Conflict and Retaliation: Graffiti may also be used to escalate conflicts or retaliate against rival gangs. Defacing or crossing out another gang’s graffiti can provoke further tensions and lead to violence.

Overall, graffiti serves as a powerful tool for gangs to establish their presence, communicate internally and externally, intimidate rivals, recruit new members, assert their identity, and escalate conflicts within their communities.