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Decoding Russian Mafia Tattoos

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Russian Mafia Tattoos - Trendy Or Tragic?

If you've ever seen David Cronenbergs award winning film "Eastern Promises" then you'll remember the scene where Viggo Mortensen's character is stripped to his underwear revealing his body full of Russian Mafia Tattoos. To the naked eye these pieces of body art portray religious cathedrals, stars and crosses - but is the history behind Russian Mafia Tattoos really that black and white?

The history of Russian Mafia Tattoos date back to the declining years of the once powerful Soviet Union, with it's deepest roots embedded throughout the notorious Russian prison camp system - known as the Soviet gulag. It was during this collapse that a new breed of professional criminals were spawned, fueled by a hybrid sense of dignity, tradition and desperation - as their communist empire fell.

Within those prison walls is where they developed a system of identification and rank based on criminal accomplishment, status and moral sin. If you've ever seen the documentary The Mark of Cain by Alix Lambert you will hear many prisoners speak of their tattoos as a business card - in a single glance being able to tell what another man has been convicted of spiritually and criminally.

Russian Mafia Tattoos Up Close

What Do Russian Mafia Tattoos Mean?

Find out what the most common Russian Mafia Tattoos mean.

Cathedral or Church - Depending on the number of steeples or towers, this will signify the number of years that individual has been in prison.
Stars - If tattooed on the knees this means that the owner will bow to no man. If on the shoulders, this means that he is a man of discipline, status, and tradition. Men will also receive stars when they are promoted to "captain".
Find out more definitions and symbols here