Thread: Russian Prison Tattoos

does anyone here know about the tattoos traditionally associated with the Vory V Zakone? i would like to know more about them- what they mean, etc. for example, what do eyes on the front of the shoulders mean? a christ wreath around the forehead, crosses, etc etc. thanks!

Tamerlane,

For the movie 'Eastern Promises' they did extensive research on the tattoos and one of the books they used was from the series "Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia"

"This completely mind-blowing book told us what the tattoos meant, and how they could become central to the movie. --" David Cronenberg. Director, Eastern Promises (2007)

It's avaiable on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Crimin...ref=pd_sim_b_2

Also on Amazon is the DVD "Alix Lambert's The Mark of Cain." Both Viggo Mortensen and makeup artist, Stéphan Dupuis, watched this very graphic Russian prison documentary.
http://www.amazon.com/Alix-Lamberts-...ref=pd_sim_b_1

I wouldn't recommend putting these tattoos on your body, not for any reason. This could be dangerous. Wearing 'unmerited' tattoos is considered outrage in certain circles and it may cost you.

It may cost you your skin.

i heard that vor v zakone is mostly comprised of georgians and other caucasians as opposed to ethnic russians, is this true? and if so- why is it so intertwined with russian history and culture as opposed to caucasian history and culture?

Вор в законе (Thief in law, A lawful thief) is a criminal 'title'. They used to control all aspects of prison life and controlled most criminal organizations. There are no correlation with the nationality. There were many ethnic Russian thieves in law as well.
And the history of the term is not very old. The term originated in the USSR and nationality didn't matter much since they all were living in the same country.