Participants run through the streets of the Back Bay during the 16th annual Santa Speedo Run in Boston, Massachusetts, December 12, 2015. (Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters)
Tattoos are commonly used among criminals to show gang membership and record the wearer's personal history—such as his or her skills, specialties, accomplishments and convictions. They are also used as a means of personal expression. Certain designs have developed recognized coded meanings. The code systems can be quite complex and because of the nature of what they encode, the tattoo designs are not widely recognized.
Archie, a Chinese Crested dog, sits with his tongue out before the start of the 20th Annual Ugliest Dog Competition at the Sonoma-Marin Fair June 20, 2008 in Petaluma, California. Owners of ugly dogs travel to Petaluma from all over the country to participate in the annual contest. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Soldiers of the 70th division of the American 7th Army hold up a Nazi flag and a portrait of Adolf Hitler, taken during the World War II capture of Saarbrucken. (Photo by Horace Abrahams/Keystone/Getty Images). 22nd March 1945
A young exhibitor arrives with her kitten on a lead at the National Cat Club show at Crystal Palace, London. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 2nd December 1931
Musicians from the Academy of Contemporary Music play using instruments made of car parts during a photocall on April 16, 2008 in London, England. Ford's unique orchestra made up entirely of Ford Focus car parts. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)