Russian criminal tattoos have a rich and intriguing history, born out of the Soviet Union's prison system.
In the Soviet Union's prison system, tattoos were used as a form of secret code among prisoners. They conveyed important information about a person's criminal history, affiliations, and status within the prison hierarchy. The tattoos were also a way for prisoners to assert their individuality and mark their place within the prison subculture.
The symbols used in Russian criminal tattoos are rich in meaning and often hold multiple layers of significance. For example, a star tattoo might represent time served in prison, while a knife tattoo could indicate a violent past. The tattoos also often reflect the wearer's personal beliefs and cultural identity, such as religious or political affiliation.