Geometric Ink: The Art of Franklin's Tattoos

As a fellow GTA player, I was tired of the generic Chinese and 'Families' tattoos that Rockstar Games included for Franklin. I wanted to give him a more unique style, reflecting his disapproval of "gangbanging" mentioned in early missions like "Franklin and Lamar." Instead of those generic designs, I opted for a modern geometric tattoo style - admittedly a bit hipster.

Geometric art is prevalent in Islamic art, so I thought it would give Franklin more depth by imbuing his tattoos with religious meaning. Many tattoos have some connection to religion, offering a departure from the usual Marias and crosses. I chose Shiite symbolism, specifically the "double-tipped sword" (zulfiqar/dhulfiqar), a well-known symbol for 'Ali, the first Imam of Shia Islam. Some less abstract images break up the geometric patterns, which might be considered less orthodox in Sunni interpretations regarding religious imagery or depictions of living things.

There is no intention to offend or create controversy with these designs. I do not aim to present them as a religious statement but rather as an appreciation for these intricate patterns.