Russian Prison Tattoo Meanings: Compass Rose, Spider, Deer & Cat Symbols

 Compass Rose (Compass Star) in Prison Tattoos

The criminal “compass rose” is one of the most common prison tattoos. Its meaning depends on both the shape and the placement:

Eight-Pointed Star

• Symbol of a “thief-in-law” (vor v zakone) and the highest authority in the prison hierarchy.

• Typically inked on the chest, below the collarbone, or on the upper back near the shoulders.

Four-Pointed Star

• Marks a “decent” inmate who follows the thieves’ code but does not hold the rank of thief-in-law.

• Usually placed on the chest or shoulder.

Placement Below the Collarbone

• Signifies a “blatnoy” – an inmate with recognized criminal status.

• The closer the tattoo to the heart, the more “serious” its owner is considered.

Placement on the Knee

• Declares a refusal to “kneel before the cops.”

• Indicates that the bearer will never submit to guards or investigators.

 Spider

A spider in a web is a typical “junkie tattoo.”

• Spider crawling upward – active drug user, constantly hunting for their next fix.

• Spider crawling downward – someone who has kicked the habit and turned away from drugs.

 Deer

A leaping (running) deer on the chest symbolizes freedom: “Born free, will die free.”

• Often inked on the chest to underline a desire to escape and reject the “cage.”

• The deer in motion represents constant flight and the impossibility of being contained.

 Cat

In prison slang, “CAT” is an acronym for “КОРЕННОЙ ОБИТАТЕЛЬ ТЮРЬМЫ” (“long-term resident of the prison”).

• The word is also read literally: cat.

• This tattoo is most often chosen by repeat offenders who wish to emphasize their “animal” nature and declare that prison is their true home.