<P> The Hells Angels utilize a system of patches similar to military medals . Although the specific meaning of each patch is not publicly known, the patches identify specific or significant actions or beliefs of each biker . The official colors of the Hells Angels are red lettering displayed on a white background--hence the club's nickname "The Red and White". These patches are worn on leather or denim jackets and vests . </P> <P> Red and white are also used to display the number 81 on many patches, as in "Support 81, Route 81". The 8 and 1 stand for the respective positions in the alphabet of H and A. These are used by friends and supporters of the club in deference to club rules, which purport to restrict the wearing of Hells Angels imagery to club members . The diamond - shaped one - percenter patch is also used, displaying' 1%' in red on a white background with a red merrowed border . The term one - percenter is said to be a response to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) comment on the Hollister incident, to the effect that 99% of motorcyclists were law - abiding citizens and the last 1% were outlaws . The AMA has no record of such a statement to the press, and calls this story apocryphal . </P> <P> Most members wear a rectangular patch (again, white background with red letters and a red merrowed border) identifying their respective charter locations . Another similarly designed patch reads "Hells Angels". When applicable, members of the club wear a patch denoting their position or rank within the organization . The patch is rectangular and, similar to the patches described above, displays a white background with red letters and a red merrowed border . Some examples of the titles used are President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Sergeant at Arms . This patch is usually worn above the' club location' patch . Some members also wear a patch with the initials "AFFA", which stands for "Angels Forever; Forever Angels", referring to their lifelong membership in the biker club (i.e., "once a member, always a member"). </P> <P> The book Gangs, written by Tony Thompson (a crime correspondent for The Observer), states that Stephen Cunningham, a member of the Angels, sported a new patch after he recovered from attempting to set a bomb, consisting of two Nazi - style SS lightning bolts below the words' Filthy Few' . Some law enforcement officials claim that the patch is only awarded to those who have committed, or are prepared to commit murder on behalf of the club . According to a report from the R. v. Bonner and Lindsay case in 2005 (see related section below), another patch, similar to the' Filthy Few' patch is the' Dequiallo' patch . This patch "signifies that the wearer has fought law enforcement on arrest ." There is no common convention as to where the patches are located on the members' jacket / vest . </P>

How to become full patch member of hells angels