Symbols and Signs

The film carries several symbols but mostly signs that can be pointed out trough out the entire movie. The Vatos Locos gang sign is “VL” and all of the gang members have it in a certain part of their body, representing their “set” (gang). Most of them have it on their hands between their thumb and index finger, and others on their mid-section or back, where it can be seen by the enemy. Every member in “La Onda”, the Hispanic prison gang, gets a tattoo of a snake representing their membership. A snake symbolizes rebirth because of its shedding of the skin, energy, wisdom, and desire. The flaking of a snake’s skin highlights the belief of life, death and rebirth. After Miklo proves himself to La Onda, a scene in the movie shows the leaders of the Hispanic prison gang surrounding him with a freshly made snake tattoo, where he is being welcomed and being set into the gang with the rules one must follow.