In a world beyond conventional law, there is a unique code language that remained hidden for more than a century. It originated as a practice used by authorities to punish and humiliate lawbreakers, but soon became one of the most notorious traditions known to the Russian underground. Embracement of tattoos as a symbol of defiance, status and pride was a turning point that changed the criminal culture forever. Yet, every drop of ink had to be justified by one’s criminal past since each illustration carried a specific meaning and signified rank within the prison hierarchy. This meant misappropriation of tattoos characteristic for a higher rank criminal carried serious repercussions such as violent removal of tattooed skin, rape or death.
Although complete demystification of the language spoken in body ink remains impossible, diving into history and symbolism can bring us closer to understanding the secret way of communication established within one of the most closed and dangerous communities in the world.
Origins and history of criminal inking in Russia
Long before tattoos became a part of pop culture, in the era of the Soviet party, Russian prisons were controlled by a gang known as the Thieves in Law. This gang enforced strict guidelines, including what and where prisoners could tattoo on their bodies so it was customary the inking of army deserters and prisoners. Rebels against authority got tattooed across their face with letters KAT, which was an acronym for the word каторжник, meaning a hard labor prisoner of Каторга penal colony in Siberia. Due to its symbolic origin, KAT tattoo can often be seen on present-day convicts. These tattoos became intricate works of art that detailed not only an inmate's crimes, but a good portion of their lives. Tattoos had to be earned through physical acts, whether it was inside or outside of the prison. If the tattoos were undeserved, they would be forcibly removed from the person before they were further punished with beatings or worse. Between the image itself and the placement on a person's body, each tattoo tells a distinctive story and imparted important information to other inmates inside a correctional facility.
In 1863, a law forbidding forcible tattooing of convicts was passed and the end was officially put to this practice. However, it had already gained a ritualistic following inside the criminal community which only continued to soar in the decades to come. Since Stalin’s rule brought severe punishments for even the smallest of crimes, prisons were fully stacked and a caste system among the convicts had to be made. In accordance to one’s criminal past and record, a place in the hierarchy was awarded and marked by an appropriate set of tattoos, known as фрак с орденами (tail coat with decorations). In order to create the illustrations, tattoo artists used a tattoo gun named машинка and ink called мазут that was made of rubber and urine. After 1970, there’s been a noticeable decline in tattooing within Russian criminal milieu due to mainstream popularization of body inking.
Design and Symbolism
While they enabled complete transparency of one’s past and rank within the criminal community, tattoos were never meant to be literally interpreted. Biblical images, epaulettes, stars, skulls and animals were common motifs, although this list was ever-growing and expanded massively over the years.
Thieves' Star
Depending on the location on the body, the stars convey a prisoner’s status. When worn on the knees, the stars are a sign of a prisoner who commands respect. The implied meaning is “I will never get on my knees in front of anyone.
Stars on the chest mark a higher rank. Only the most respected can wear the thieves’ stars in that area of the body. The tattoos must be earned, and an inmate wearing an undeserved tattoo risks a beating or worse.
Portraits of Stalin
In the 1900s, prisoners believed placing tattooed portraits of Stalin on their chests would protect them from a firing squad. The authorities would not shoot at any images of their leaders; instead, they would shoot prisoners in the back of the head.
Epaulettes
An epaulette, or ornamental shoulder piece typically found on a military uniform, are used to signify rank within the Thieves in Law. Known ranks were captains, lieutenants and colonels.
Spider
The spider crawling on the right shoulder is indicative of a thief. If the spider is crawling up the shoulder, the thief is still active. If the spider is crawling down, this means the thief is done with the criminal life.
Cathedrals (Kremlin)
Cathedrals, or Kremlin, represent time spent incarcerated and are iconic Russian prison tattoos. The more domes an inmate’s church has indicates the number of sentences they have served over their lifetime. These tattoos can be found anywhere on the body.
Rings
Ring tattoos on the hands are immediately indicative of a convict. Their meanings range from what type of crimes the convict committed, to aggression against authority, to sentences served.
Woman
A woman tattooed onto the chest of an inmate is symbolic of that person having been initiated into the Thieves in Law. This type of tattoo may incorporate a rose. Conversely, if that woman is placed on the stomach, then the tattoo is a sign of a prostitute.
Flower
A tulip or a rose ensnared in barbed wire or wrapped around a dagger is symbolic of a convicted imprisoned before the age of 18.
Skulls
A skull is a symbol of standing up against authority; it means to “bear one’s teeth” against the Soviet power. This was to prove they were not afraid of authority. Inmates earn these tattoos by standing up to figures of authority, such as correctional officers.
These days, the tattoo guidelines of the Thieves in Law are no longer followed and inmates are creating their own images with varied meaning. Still, it's interesting to look at the past and see what inmates used to ink on their skin in order to have a foundation of information to build off of. Think before you INK!