A biker patch or “color” is usually sewn on a vest made of leather or denim to indicate the biker’s group, organization, or gang. These sacred patches are worn with honor and may contain secret symbols that say things about the group or individual wearing them.
Basically, there are 3 types of biker patches that come in one, two, or three pieces. The one piece patch symbolizes a motorcycle organization such as Harley Owners Group (HOG) and Honda Riders Club. Riding clubs often use two-piece patches or they may symbolize a motorcycle club waiting to transition to become a full three-piece outlaw club. The three-piece patches symbolize an outlaw motorcycle gang.
Biker patches basically have three parts; the top rocker, the bottom rocker, and the emblem of the group or gang in the middle. The two crescent-shaped rockers show the name of the club at the top and the place or region of the group at the bottom. Sometimes the word MC is placed next to the emblem or rocker to signify that it is a Motorcycle Club.
In 1947, the American Motorcycle Association declared that “99% of all its members are law-abiding citizens and only 1% are outlaws” following a violent incident in Hollister, California. This gave rise to the One Percenters or Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs. These clubs cut their patches from one piece into three to distinguish themselves from the rest of the law abiding groups. A diamond-shaped 1% patch can also be used with the three-piece patch. To show that they are the 1% outlaw.
Biker patches can have hundreds of meanings and their symbols can represent anything. Usually, only bona fide members of the group really know the meaning behind these emblems. Here are some common symbols and their meanings.
1% – As stated by the AMA, these are the unrecognized outlaw motorcycle groups.
13 – This is used to symbolize the letter M, which can stand for various meanings including motorcycle, marijuana, methamphetamine, or a secret meaning only known to members.
It can also mean “12 jurors and one judge”, symbolizing that no one can judge them. We are our own judge and jury members.
9er – Symbolizes that the biker has Native American blood since the ninth letter of the alphabet is I.
Ace of Spades – This is a symbol for the bearer of death. It means that the rider is willing to kill for the group. But maybe he already has.
Bad influence: shows that the biker is crazy.
DILLIGAF: This is an acronym for “Do I look like I give a fuck?”
FF – forever, forever is used with the group title at the beginning and end, as in Hell’s Angels’ AFFA and the Sons of Silence’s SFFS
Flags: can be used to indicate the location or origin of the group.
ITCOB. – this is an acronym for “I Took of Business”
MC or MCC – This is an acronym for “Motorcycle Cycle Club”
Men of Mayhem – Badges or pins awarded to members who have killed on behalf of the group.
Nomad: used in the lower rocket to indicate a person with no particular address. Only a few can really live with this title.
Skull and Crossbones – The patch means “Respect Few, Fear None.” In some cases, the crossbones are replaced by swords.
It can also show that the member has killed someone for the group.
The swastika and Nazi symbols: This does not necessarily mean that the bikers are Nazis, but rather it shows that they reject the rules of society.
Wings: These are usually used to display achievements. Sometimes they can have a sexual significance, but they are mostly believed to be jokes.
Red Wings shows that the biker had oral sex with a menstruating woman.
The green wings show that the motorcyclist had sex with a woman with a sexually transmitted disease.
The yellow wings show that the biker drank a woman’s urine.
The purple wings show that the biker had sex with a body
Patches can also show a biker’s position in the gang. This can include president, vice president, secretary, and sergeant-at-arms. For groups outside the law, it can only be used on the territory and must be handed over when the motorcyclist leaves the group.
No matter what the meaning, patches are treated with honor and respect, as it is a great privilege to have the right to wear the band’s emblem and call it your own.