Russian criminal tattoos are a fascinating and complex phenomenon, acting as a silent language within the prison system and beyond. These aren’t mere decorations; they are coded messages, biographies etched onto the skin, revealing status, criminal specialty, and personal history within the underworld. This guide delves into the intricate world of Russian criminal tattoos, focusing on the meanings behind finger rings and other symbolic imagery commonly found in male intensive labor camps and colonies.
Rings: Reading the Knuckles of Inmates
Finger tattoos, particularly rings, hold significant weight in the Russian criminal tattoo lexicon. Each finger and combination of symbols can tell a distinct story about the wearer’s past and standing within the criminal hierarchy.
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Five Dots: Often found on the hand between the thumb and forefinger, or sometimes on the elbow, the five-dot tattoo, arranged in a square with one dot in the center, carries the somber message: “Four guard towers and me,” or simply, “I’ve been in prison.” This is a fundamental mark indicating time served.
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‘MIR’: This four-letter acronym is more than just the Russian word for “peace.” In the context of criminal tattoos, MIR stands for “Shooting will reform me” (“Me Ispravit Rasstrel”). This ironic tattoo suggests a defiance and a belief that only death can change their criminal nature.
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Cat’s Head: The image of a cat’s head marks the wearer as a native inhabitant of prison, someone comfortable and familiar with the penal system. It’s also recognized as a symbol of thieves, indicating a professional criminal.
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Crosses on Knuckles: Crosses tattooed on the knuckles, often numbering one to three, represent “Trips to the zone,” with each cross signifying a conviction and imprisonment. Three crosses, as depicted, would mean “I’ve been to prison three times.”
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‘LARA’: While some tattoos are deeply symbolic of the criminal world, others are personal. ‘LARA’, in this instance, simply represents the name of a girlfriend, a common expression of personal attachment even within the harsh prison environment.
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Forefinger Ring: A ring tattoo on the forefinger designates the wearer as a “Leninist bandit,” a leader or authority figure within a group of expropriators or robbers. This indicates a position of power and influence in criminal activities.
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Middle Finger Ring: A ring on the middle finger signifies “Convicted for brigandage,” clearly stating the wearer’s criminal specialization in robbery and banditry.
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Third Finger Ring: A ring on the third finger communicates a more personal and poignant message: “Complete orphan. Rely on no one but yourself.” This reveals a background of abandonment and self-reliance, often seen as virtues in the harsh criminal world.
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Little Finger Ring: A ring on the little finger denotes “Anarchist,” indicating a rejection of authority and rules, a common sentiment among those who operate outside the law.
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‘PEGA’: Similar to ‘LARA’, ‘PEGA’ is a nickname, another example of personal identifiers incorporated into tattoos. Nicknames are common in criminal circles and serve as a form of identity within that subculture.
Card Suits: Heraldry of the Underworld
Beyond rings, the suits of playing cards also carry symbolic weight in Russian criminal tattoos, drawing a parallel to old Western heraldry, but with a distinctly criminal twist.
According to the text beside the hand, card suits are interpreted as follows within this tattoo context:
- Clubs (♣): Representing the sword in traditional heraldry, in criminal tattoos, clubs symbolize thieves, robbers, and exploiters. They are associated with aggression and force.
- Spades (♠): Equated with the spear, spades share a similar meaning to clubs, further emphasizing the criminal’s inclination towards violence and robbery.
- Hearts (♥): Traditionally the shield in heraldry, hearts in this context are linked to public symbols, though the exact nuance in criminal tattoo meaning requires further context. It’s possible that hearts, in contrast to the aggressive suits, could symbolize a less violent criminal profession or perhaps forced labor.
- Diamonds (♦): Representing a public symbol, diamonds, like hearts, are less clearly defined in their criminal tattoo meaning from this text alone. They might denote a lower status or a different category of offense.
The text explicitly states, “Thieves, robbers, and exploiters prefer clubs and spades,” reinforcing the association of these suits with more aggressive and higher-status criminals within the prison hierarchy.
Forcibly Applied Lowering Tattoos: Marks of Degradation
A grim aspect of Russian prison tattoos is the practice of forcibly applying “lowering tattoos.” These are not chosen but imposed, designed to degrade and humiliate the wearer within the brutal prison environment. These tattoos mark individuals as outcasts, often for violating unwritten criminal codes or for perceived weakness.
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Heart (Lower Left): This heart, when forcibly applied, is far from a symbol of love. It labels the wearer with deeply offensive terms: “Shaggy face,” “Sentenced for robbing the furry safe,” and “Cunt thief.” These derogatory terms indicate the wearer is a disgraced thief, possibly one who stole from their own kind or committed a particularly shameful act.
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Three Dots (Second from Left): In this context, three dots do not signify prison time. Instead, they preface a series of vile terms denoting sexual degradation: “Waffler” (a man who performs fellatio and swallows sperm), “Spermatovar” (sperm-filled samovar), “Dick-pump,” and “Stroker.” These tattoos are designed to shame and mark the wearer as a sexual submissive within the prison hierarchy.
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Black and White Halves (Third from Left): This divided tattoo symbolizes utter worthlessness, labeling the wearer with terms like “Garbage,” “Slime,” “Sunken,” “Cock,” “Bottom dweller,” and “Scruffy.” These are blanket insults, stripping the individual of any respect and placing them at the very bottom of the prison social order.
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Arrow (Fourth from Left): The arrow tattoo marks the wearer as a “Touring-thief,” someone constantly on the move, living by the motto “Here today, there tomorrow.” This tattoo might indicate a nomadic criminal lifestyle, lacking strong ties or fixed locations.
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Six Dots (Fifth from Left): Six dots brand the wearer as a “Sixer,” the lowest card in the Russian deck. This translates to being a “Lackey of the authority,” a servant to the higher-ranking thieves. “Sixers” perform menial tasks and are at the bottom rung of the prison hierarchy.
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D/D (Sixth from Left): The letters “D/D” are a stark abbreviation for “I was raised in an orphanage,” or simply “Orphan.” While not inherently degrading like other forced tattoos, it can signify vulnerability and a lack of familial support, potentially placing the wearer at a disadvantage in the prison environment.
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Heart Pierced by Syringe (Above): This tattoo bluntly declares “Addict,” stating “In drugs I find all my happiness.” This can be a self-inflicted tattoo reflecting a personal struggle, or it could be forcibly applied to further stigmatize an inmate with addiction issues.
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Wheel in a Circle (Left): This symbol represents a difficult upbringing: “Fatherless,” explaining “I became a thief because of poverty and a broken home,” and “Son of a single mother.” This tattoo can evoke sympathy or be used to explain the wearer’s descent into crime, attributing it to societal factors.
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Beetle (Top): The scarab beetle, a symbol of luck for a criminal, represents “Hope to find true, strong love in life.” This tattoo blends the harsh realities of criminal life with a yearning for positive change and personal connection, a surprising element of hope within this dark world.
Conclusion: A Language of Survival
Russian criminal tattoos are far more than skin deep. They are a complex visual language, conveying status, history, and personal narratives within a closed and often brutal society. Understanding these symbols offers a glimpse into the intricate codes and hierarchies of the Russian criminal underworld and the harsh realities of its prison system. These tattoos serve as a stark reminder of the power of symbols and their ability to communicate volumes in silence.
