Russian Prison Ring Tattoos (13–24): Symbols and Meanings Explained
13. Sun and seagulls, divided by a diagonal. “Lost youth.” Female tattoo. “Served first term in a juvenile correctional labor colony.”
14. Ring with the image of a spider in a web. On the spider’s back — a white cross. “Was convicted for ‘gop-stop’” (robbery). Symbolizes violence.
15. Dagger entwined with a snake. Symbol of aggression and hidden threat. The owner of the ring served a sentence for intentional murder.
16. Hare. Ring of a minor. Indicates sympathy toward prostitutes or a tendency toward lewd actions. May be applied by force.
17. Snake in the form of the Latin letter “S” with two vertical stripes. “Second stretch” (second prison term). Sometimes a third stripe is applied (third term of imprisonment). The tattoo is also found on women.
18. “KOT” (“korennoy obitatel tyurmy” — “native inhabitant of prison”). Thieves’ sign symbolizing pride, long stay in places of imprisonment, luck. Sometimes found among gopniks.
19. Sun, anchor, heart. “Love and freedom.” Borrowed from sailors.
20. Dove’s foot. Sign of pacifists. In criminal slang concepts — a sign of aggression. The tattoo is applied to malicious violators of camp regime.
21. Dagger piercing an officer’s epaulette. “Death to cops!” The owner of the tattoo was convicted for a crime against police officers. The tattoo is often found on other parts of the body as well.
22. Inverted star. Symbol of Satanists. “Committed a crime for religious motives.” “Convicted for desecration of graves.” Found rarely.
23. Zion Star of David. “Jewish class unity.” “Went through the zone but did not betray the faith.”
24. Six. Ring of the thieves’ entourage — inmates who carry out orders of camp authorities (criminal bosses).
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