Ink & Identity: The Hidden History of Tattoos and Secret Societies in Singapore

Tattoos in Singapore have come a long way. Once seen as the mark of gangsters and outlaws, tattoos were a secret language among underground brotherhoods—symbols of loyalty, power, and survival. Today, they have evolved into a respected art form, with tattoo studios across the city-state bringing unique styles to life.

But behind today’s vibrant tattoo culture lies a history that traces back to the hidden world of secret societies, criminal brotherhoods, and underground codes.

⏾The Rise of Secret Societies & Their Tattoo Codes

In the 1800s, Singapore was a rough place for newly arrived immigrants. Many came from China looking for work in tin mines, plantations, or construction. With little protection from the law, many turned to secret societies for safety and support—clan associations (kongsi 公司)—such as the Tsung Sin Kongsi (松信公司), functioned as social and business networks. While these organizations were primarily established to provide mutual aid, some secret societies operated under the cover of these kongsi, using them to organize members and evade British authorities. Membership certificates, like those from the Tsung Sin Kongsi, were often issued to formalize ties to the group—sometimes doubling as documents of loyalty within secret society networks.

Membership Certificate of the Tsung Sin Kongsi, Early mid 20th century, Courtsey National Museum of Singapore

Secret societies functioned as underground brotherhoods with strict hierarchies, loyalty oaths, and rituals. Some were involved in illegal activities like gambling and smuggling, but they also provided financial aid, job opportunities, and protection for their members.

Tattoos as Brotherhood Marks

Secret society tattoos were more than decoration—they marked a person’s rank, loyalty, and identity. Common tattoos included:

• Dragons and tigers, which symbolized strength and dominance

• Yin-yang symbols with flames, representing balance and duality

• Gang poems, short cryptic phrases only understood by fellow members

• Five-dot tattoos, a symbol of brotherhood, with four dots representing fellow members and the center dot representing the wearer

Tattoos were also warnings. If a rival gang spotted someone with a certain marking, it could lead to violent confrontations.

⏾British Crackdowns & The Fall of Secret Society Tattoos

By the 1870s, Singapore’s secret societies had grown so powerful that the British government launched a crackdown. The Societies Ordinance of 1869 and 1889 banned these groups, leading to mass arrests and deportations.

Tattoos became dangerous. Police used them to identify criminals, forcing many former gang members to try removing their ink by burning, cutting, or covering their tattoos with new designs. As the British government tightened its control over secret societies, many groups attempted to operate more discreetly. Some affiliated themselves with respectable clan associations such as the Tsung Sin Kongsi, using these organizations as protective fronts. Despite these efforts, the British continued to associate tattoos with criminal activity, leading many former gang members to alter or remove their ink to avoid police scrutiny.

Even after the British crackdown, tattoos remained linked to crime throughout the mid-1900s, furthering their stigma in Singapore.

⏾The Mid-20th Century: The Secret Society Underground & Prison Tattoos (1930s–1970s)

Secret Society Tattoos (1950-1955), Singapore Police Force Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

Even though secret societies were officially banned, they did not completely disappear. Instead, many went underground, operating in a more secretive manner while still engaging in illicit activities like illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and extortion.

During this period, prison tattoos became more common. Since many gang members were arrested, they started developing new tattoo designs inside prisons, marking their affiliation, rank, or criminal history.

Common prison tattoo elements included:

• Dots and lines, simple coded messages about gang rank

• Crossed weapons such as daggers, swords, or axes, representing past fights or a readiness for violence

• Lotus flowers or Chinese characters for rebirth, symbolizing gang loyalty even after prison release

Unlike older secret society tattoos, these prison tattoos were often rougher and less artistic, done using improvised methods like sharpened staples, pen ink, or makeshift tattoo needles.

By the 1960s and 1970s, tattoos were still overwhelmingly associated with criminals, ex-convicts, and underground gang culture.

Drug abusers apprehended during Operation Ferret, a major enforcement operation by the Central Narcotics Bureau, 1977, coutesy The Straits Times

A close-up of a former Boat Quay gang member's arm, showing crossed-out tattoos to signify his departure from the secret society and legal immunity under the Internal Security Act (1978), Ronni Pinsler Collection, courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

⏾The 1980s: The Shift Toward Artistic Tattooing

A photograph of Indra Bahadur, known as Johnny Two Thumbs, tattooing a client, 1980-90s, Courtesy TattooArchive.com

By the 1980s, tattoos in Singapore began shifting away from gang markings toward self-expression. One major figure in this change was Johnny Two Thumbs, one of Singapore’s earliest professional tattoo artists.

Born Indra Bahadur, Johnny Two Thumbs got his nickname due to a birth defect that left him with an extra thumb. He embraced it as part of his brand and became famous for his tattoo work in the 1950s through the 1980s.

At a time when tattoos were still linked to secret societies, Johnny was one of the few artists running a legitimate, professional studio. His work attracted navy sailors, travelers, and adventurous locals, slowly helping tattooing shed its negative reputation.

He also introduced Western-style tattoos like sailor motifs, pin-ups, and military insignias, expanding Singapore’s tattoo scene beyond its gang-related past.

His influence helped pave the way for today’s professional tattoo industry.

Spirit Medium With Tattoos On His Back, 1982, Courtesy of National Archives of Singapore

⏾Tattoo Culture in Singapore Today

Tattoos in Singapore are now widely accepted as an art form. Studios operate legally under strict hygiene standards, and events like the Singapore Ink Show bring world-class artists to the city.

Tattoos are no longer just symbols of rebellion. They are now worn by people from all walks of life—corporate professionals, artists, students—each telling their own story through ink.

⏾Final Thoughts: Tattoos as Personal Identity

Tattoo culture in Singapore has evolved from secret society markings to a respected form of self-expression. But at its core, tattooing has always been about identity—whether for loyalty, survival, or personal storytelling.

The ink may have changed, but the meaning remains.

Thinking about getting a tattoo? Explore our artists and find the right style for your story.

📍 Read more on tattoo history and culture at InkSmith Journal