Russian Prison Ring Tattoos (25–36): Literal Meanings and Criminal Code Symbols

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This section contains historical prison tattoo imagery, including a depiction of the Nazi swastika. These symbols are presented strictly for documentary and educational purposes within the context of criminal tattoo history.
The administration of this website strongly condemns Nazi ideology and all forms of extremism, and expresses a clear and unequivocal negative attitude toward this ideology and all of its followers.
The materials are published solely to document historical prison symbolism and do not constitute endorsement in any form.
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25. Black cross on a white background. “Went through the zone.” Place of the tattoo — index finger. Found among women.

26. Black cross with a dot in the middle and diagonal rays. “One among friends.” The owner of the ring began criminal activity as a minor.

27. Black grave cross. Found among “refusers” (otritsala). The ring may also be dedicated to parents who died during the period when the owner of the tattoo was in places of imprisonment.

28. Black cross on a white background. “Went through the zone.” Numbers corresponding to the assigned term of punishment may be indicated.

29. Black cross with outgoing rays. Symbolizes conviction. The number of rays means the number of prison terms.

30. Ornamental cross. “Forgive me, mother.” The ring symbolizes memory of deceased parents.

31. Cathedral. “Eternal prisoner of prison.” The tattoo is applied by inmates who have, at minimum, three convictions. The number of domes of the cathedral indicates the number of prison terms.

32. Swastika in a white circle. “PAPA” (“f*** the activists, greetings to anarchists”). Symbolizes cruelty, aggression. Sign of “refusers(otritsala).”

33. Hammer and sickle with a star. The owner of the ring believes that the sentence was assigned to him unjustly. Under the ring there is sometimes the abbreviation “BOG” (“was convicted by the state”).

34. White crown with outgoing rays. “Let the strongest win.” Ring of a camp authority — a pakhan, a thief-in-law. The number of rays — number of convictions.

35. Tulip. The owner of the ring served a sentence in a juvenile correctional labor colony. Rays may depart from the flower, indicating the term of punishment or the number of convictions.

36. Skull on a white background. “Woe to the defeated.” “To live means to fight.” Symbolizes power, strength, aggressiveness. The tattoo means that its owner will not stop before violence. Found among “refusers(otritsala).”