Epaulette - Mark of distinction for some merit.
Virgin Mary - Wearer has been a thief/criminal from their early days or protection from some misfortune.
Stars have 2 meanings:
1.Otritsala. Who not working for administration of prison and does not comply with their laws.
2.Vor v zakone.
Beetle symbolize a pickpocket. The acronym ZhUK (literally “beetle”) stands for Zhelayu Udachnykh Krazh (“May your theft be a success”). Tattooed on hands, as well as other parts of the body.
Churches - The number of dome towers (cupolas) indicates either number of prison terms or number of years of the sentence.
Tiger - Aggression towards police officers.
Sailing Ship - Guest-thief.
Spider within a Web - Can indicate a drug addiction. It can also mean that the wearer is a thief. If the spider is shown moving upwards it means the wearer is still an active criminal, if the spider is moving downwards it means that the wearer is intending to leave the thief’s way of life.
Setting sun - This tattoo is usually accompanied by birds flying over the horizon. It represents freedom.
Cat symbolizes luck and caution, and the acronym KOT-Korennoy Obitatel Turmi(literally “cat”) stands for Native Prison Inhabitant. The cat is also the symbol of a pickpocket. At one time, a bow tie was forcibly added to the picture of the cat’s head on pickpockets who had broken the thieves’ code and sided with the cops or prison authorities. Now, however, cats with bow ties have become common, and there is no stigma attached to the bow tie.
Cat with keys - Thief home.
Crucifix - Criminal avtoritet.
Eyes on the upper/middle torso they literally mean that the wearer is keeping their eyes open.
Eyes on lower backside - That is to show that the prisoner is used for sexual gratification.
Stalin and Lenin Considered sacred, so inmates would tattoo the faces over their hearts and vital organs so guards would not hit or shoot them in that spot of the body. Nowadays these tattoos are rarely used.
Lenin is symbol of vor. Lenin is The leader of the October Revolution - Vozhd Oktiabrskoy Revolucii - vor.
Stars on knees - It means you bow to no authority.
Bells - Literally signifies that the wearer will serve his full given sentence, from “bell call to bell call”.
Swastika/nazi symbols - are a sign of against prison authorities. Doesn’t literally mean that the wearer is a nazi sympathiser.
Runes - One who does not confess, also tattooed as sign of against prison authorities, again not usually associated with the Nazi symbol.
SS - Sohranil Sovest' - Preserved the conscience.
SER - Svoboda Eto Ray - Freedom Is Paradise.
SER in english is Sir.
BARDAK - Knife, woman, drugs, alcohol etc. This is what is killing us.
Bat - Night thief.
Bull - Means cruelty and rage. Prisioners with this tattoo are bulls and fighters (who make the physical execution on the orders of the vor v zakone).
MIR - In russian is peace or world but here MIR mean Menia Ispravit Rasstrel - Execution will reform me.
BARS - Bey Aktiv Rezh Suk - Beat Active Cut Bitchs.
Knife in shackles - Committed a crime in places of deprivation of liberty.
Rose - Ruined youth.
A monk writing in a book with a quill pen is a “scribe,” a criminal who is dexterous with a razor, knife, or a sharpened coin. Often, a pickpocket who is extremely skillful at surreptitiously slitting open pockets, handbags, etc.
In russian argot quill is knife,write is cut.
The knife in the neck - Owner of tattoo cut someone.
Joker - Player of gambling games.
WOLF - VOLK - Voru Otdishka Legavomu Krishka.I had many problems with the translation.VOLK is Thief's Break Heat's Done for or something like that.
Manacles - One manacle 5 years of prison.
Pirate - Robbery.
Rose and knife - Blood for treason.
Sight - Shoot chekist, but dont miss.
On the right breast abbreviation Zoloto(Gold) - Zapomni, Odnazhdi Liudi Ostaviat Tebia Odnogo - Remember, one day people will leave you alone.
The meaning of the Scorpion tattoo was unknown till just recently, when a few meanings came to light in the comments section of the Russian blog. I decided to put them all together so people can pick the one that fits them best.
The meanings of the Scorpion:
1.Astrological Sign
2.Special Forces tattoo. If the claws are open then the owner has seen combat.
3.Did Box-time (time in the hole)
4.Drug-Addiction. Stinger up-means still using. Stinger down means "I quit".
5.Scorpion in optical sight - Owner has seen combat (Chechnya).
If more meanings come to light, I will add them here.
LHVS - Legavim Huy Voram Soboda - To trashcops the dick, to thieves freedom.
Another meaning of LHVS it's just joke - Lublu Halvu Varenie Sahar - I like halva, marmalade, sugar.
Theatrical masks - Before prison and after prison.
Bear - Medvezhatnik - Professional safecracker.
Medvezhatnik from word Mevded. Medved in russian is Bear. In russian argo Medved is Safe.
VEK - Vsio Eto Konec - That is the end. VEK in Russian mean Century. During 50s of the 20t century VEK tattoo often appeared on the bodies of the condemned to death prisoners as there was no shooting execution followed by several convoy guards then. In those times a prisoner was simply taken to questioning. He was led with his head down through the all, a deathman followed him and shot in his head. VEK - Vsio Eto Konec.
BOG - Bog Otpustit Grehi; Byl Osuzhden Gosudarstvom; Boyus Ostatsia Golodnym; Budu Opiat Grabit; Bud Ostorozhen Grabitel; Boites Ognia Gady.
GOD - God will forgive sins; Was convicted by the state; I'm afraid to stay hungry; I will plunder again; Be careful, burglar; Be afraid of fire, bastards.
stars
ReplyDeleteVoru Otdishka Legavomu Krishka= Thief will get break when police officer will be death
ReplyDeleteI love this blog. It's absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeletewat does it mean if my ucle has the sun over the horizon tatoo. has he been in jail??? he doesnt tel me anything
ReplyDeleteit means svaboda = freedom
DeleteNormaly it would be a prison tattoo. And the meaning of it, is Freedom ! Is your uncle Russian?
Deletei don't know,you need ask you uncle
ReplyDeleteyour uncle should have a cathedral if he was in jail .. the number of points represents his years there ..
ReplyDeleteNot true, if he doesn't belong to the life, and does not have a life of crime he does not get to speak on matters between us, his opinions and self are meaningless and unworthy
DeleteThey assert rank and authority shoulders are very rare to see, knees slightly less rare ,,not many ppl left who are respectfully awarded these medals of honor, you will see an imposter sooner than a general sporting them in plain sight. They are given to you BOTH and word is spread in the underground that a new bearer exists, if you wear them falsely, you will be caught and punished. They will ask who gave them to you, or what you did to earn them, authoritative figures carry themselves a very particular way,and will be recognized as worthy if they cant trace their origins.
DeletePlease don't get these , it's a very serious insult to us
Does the sun over the horizon have the word "CEBEP" underneath it?
ReplyDeletebecause if it does it just means "north" meaning the person came from the north of russia which is known for being more hostile and violent than other areas and the person may have taken part in these less than legal acts.
it says SVOBODA which means freedom, but obv in russian letters
DeleteAmazing post here. thank you for all these photos.
ReplyDeleteI never seen the joker tats. Very interesting.. the cat ones have an odd meaning too.
Tattoo CEBEP is one of most famous prison tattoo.
ReplyDeleteCEBEP mean north,north mean north of Russia,north of Russia is Siberia,Siberia in USSR is GULAG.
I saw tattoo like this with sun but УРАЛ(URAL).URAL is north too.
If tattoo has reaper with words underneath Я здесь и я жду (which translates to i'm here, i wait correct?), does that mean person is a killer or that they recognize that death is waiting to take them?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how would you take the expression Не верь, не бойся, не проси
Don't believe/trust, don't fear, don't ask
DeleteAbout "Я здесь и я жду" i don't know.
ReplyDelete"Не верь, не бойся, не проси" - is Do not trust, do not be afraid, do not ask.Is
if i get the stars without being in a russian jail, would i be killed or beaten for not being honored to recieve them from a higher russian criminal? even if i get them to say that i don't beleive in the laws of society.
ReplyDeleteMost of the tattoos have to be earned to be work except two stars on ether shulder
DeleteWhat is difference between thief in laws stars,and anti authority stars,where thy go on body and patterns?
DeleteOn russian blog in topic like this i have a lot of questions like your. I don't know what can happen.
ReplyDeleteIs possible to have more on the meanings of the Rings?
ReplyDeleteThanks
Yes of course, a lot of meanings of rings.
ReplyDeleteu can be beating not from high russian criminal just some russian punk that bealive if you dont do your time you cant tatto it on you.
ReplyDeletei have tatto of skulls its mean evrey skull that you kill someone and in russia i been fight with guys beacuse my tatto that made in prison
I have two stars on my shoulders and saw this summer a guy with two stars on shoulders,a church with sever towers on his back and a cross on his chest...I was afraid as shit...I think he's kill me if he saw my stars...
ReplyDeleteStars mean different things. And are formed differently for their different purposes. A star that symbolizes that you are in Vor v zakone are 16 points. The Otritsala tattoos have only 8. Any member of the mafia or who has been in prison should recognize and count the points before they advance--especially if you have Vor v zakone stars on your chest and or knees. Also a clear point is that if you have Vor v zakone stars that you will also have them on your knees. Another member who has Otritsala stars would not advance to kill you. But possibly embrace you that you revolt against authority but that also would be addressed if you have the rose--signifies you have entered the mafia. So if you are truly concerned about your life might have considered to make sure you have the right stars on your chest/shoulders and that if you are approached that you know what they mean: against authority. As always be respectful to those who have stars on their chest and knees, especially if you clearily see any of the tattoos listed above- as they are not people to be reasoned with unless you know what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteWhat mafia? This is prison tattoos. Look at stars of Alexandr Emelyanenko, his stars with 16 points and he is not Vor v zakone.
ReplyDeleteThat mean he refuses to be given orders or bosses around
DeleteHe has got them covered,
DeleteNo he has added to the tattoo look at he's knees arms and back.He is respected no one talks the subject is left alone
Deleteso what.. they're damn skinny annyway
ReplyDeleteonly vor v zakone can get stars on his chest ant knees, its hard to earn these stars.if you have these stars you are an approved authority whitin vor v zakone. if you get these tattoos without permission of the vor v zakone, they would cut them out if you were in prison in russia. watch the movie Alix Lambert's the Mark of Cain
ReplyDeleteWhat If you only have 16 point stars on your knees but not your chest? Does.that mean they are vor?
DeleteStars on knees means refus to bow to any athourity which have to be earned
DeleteStill very high ranking authoritarian
DeleteOn shoulders means you are initiated into the highest ranking figures club, who descend orders down the ranks
Nonsense
ReplyDeleteYou really don't know shit about these tattoos. Let's see u have a sit done with some of my family and let them show u there tattoos and then u tell them what they mean and let's see how long Befor u get stabbed. If you ask me your insulting there wearers of these tattoos by trying to act like you know about them.
DeleteWho is Armen Kazaryan, nickname PZO, who was recently caught for medicare fraud. is he a vor??
ReplyDeleteYea he is a Vor that was approved by svo RAF
DeleteA question to the site owner. First off, I find this all incredibly fascinating and I'd love to see a wiki of sorts on it.
ReplyDeleteBut my question is, what tattoos were prominant, if any, during the mid 50's (around Stalin's death)? From what I can gather all I've seen are tattoos of Stalin, Tigers, and Stars. Would you happen to know if there are any more?
Also, I need more definitions! I want to learn more.
It's really interesting. During those days it was illegal to damage the image of Stalin or Lenin. So what Vori would do is tattoo their faces on their major organs. That way the cops couldn't shoot them in the chest or anywhere the tattoo was.
DeleteArmen Kazaryan is vor v zakone.
ReplyDelete2Max:
Tattoos of Stalin's times are rares. In future more tattoos.
what did criminals (vors) in jail do to rapists and those that got raped? were the rapists killed or was everyone just scared of them.....
ReplyDeletein the vor v zakone laws it says that a vor should not have a family of his own besides his birth family. how come yaponchik had a wife?? does that mean he is not a vor. what happens if a vor breaks a rule ..?
rapists live in a jail in the last stage of the hierarchy. but not all.
ReplyDeletenow another times, not as in USSR. after capitalizm came almost all rules are broke. not many vors live with vor's rules. many vors now are businessmans.
*VOLK - Voru Otdishka Legavomu Krishka.I had many problems with the translation
ReplyDeleteProverb:
Voru Otdishka - Means Vor(thief) can get a breather or relax
Legavomu Krishka - Lawobieder or authority is dead. krishka means lid so trying to say he has been covered or as we would say burried.
So basically phrase translates to Thief can take a breather because authority isn't
I am what is known as a "serious risk to society" in wonderful Blighty. I am amused by this topic. I have various tattoos, prison and otherwise. Dare anyone come carve em off me. My stomping ground stretches from Here to Odessa.
ReplyDeleteAnon internet threat bro! I knew you'd show up!
ReplyDeleteInteresting thread....
ReplyDeleteSome us army convicts wear oritsala as well. They have same meaning and worn on knees and shoulders. I earned my oritsala after serving four years with no human contact in American army prison. We take our code in prison from original vorovskoi Mir, but can marry and own things.
ReplyDeleteIn the American army prison convicts of rank wear oritsala also, on shoulders and knees. Scorpions for us mean fought in Iraq or Afghanistan. I have oritsala from serving four years no human contact for beating a cop. We modeled our code from vorovskoi mir, excepting that we may marry upon retirement from criminal life and own property. Russian mafiya is very real, by the way. But they are not animals as some people would have us believe. - have known several vori, none of.which had a problem with my tattoos, and each treated me with the respect one man shows another. If you try toact tough Guy, anyone will test you.
ReplyDeleteI need translate this comments in russian and post to russian blog.
ReplyDeletePrevious comment about American Army criminals is fairly accurate. Where he is mistaken is that, where these convicts respect and have code similar to thieves code, it is not modeled after thieves code. Tattoos are used to symbolize rank, role, and your "story." Some US Army convicts wear five point stars, some eight point. Never sixteen. Also no roses, churches, or crosses. Only similarities are scorpion and stars. American stars came from mocking the authority of army generals, and later became a general sign of anti authoritarian fortitude. Also, these guys must all have been combat veterans, as requirement. Would be interesting to hear the opinion of Russian convicts about these guys though.
DeleteSo can I get the stars on my knees if im against authority? If so how many points is ok for that??
ReplyDeleteYou can get whatever tattoo you want, if your asking for permission on the www then you should not be within accurate shooting distance of a tattoo shop!
DeleteI don't know
ReplyDeleteArmen Kazaryan aka Pzo is an Armenian vor v zakone.
ReplyDeleteHey bratouxa i want to ask you about the cross what it means and why they wear that at their finger
ReplyDeletemeaning of cross on finger i don't know.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a white cross on a black background then that means the bearer was charged with robbery.
Deletei was born in colony 15 1986r. i was realesed 1990. when i was 18 i have alredi spent 8 years, in juvinile age 14 i was sendt to butirka (as an underaged) where i got my stars, (i will NOT say what they means. NO outsider can take these tattoo. and the information in internett is wrong. ALOT of meanings are false.
ReplyDeletei was sendt from youth camp to butirka becouse agresson against authority and other russian shitkids and sukas who talk big and worked with prison authoritys.
i was in a libary and saw the book criminal tattoos.
HAHAA and the guy who wrote the book has been joked with!
these tattoos are NOT mafia tattoos. But some old mafiosos have thieves tattoo's, becouse of longer prison terms.
its organizing tattoos to thiefs in prison, in an orginazing structure where we getting tattoos from achievements and political status in the "thieves world" and who you are as a person. and what youre job in prison is. in cell pressure these tattoos can save your life from other aggressive prisoners
greeting from a norwegian/russian Thief in law
I m very thankful for your info and respect it, thanks a lot
DeleteGreetings from a croatian tattoo and symbol lover.
^^^^ legend^^^^
ReplyDeleteWhat about a sicle and hammer on both knees?
ReplyDeleteI never saw this tattoos on knees
ReplyDeleteYa b/c you haven't done time in a russian prison. I bet 100 you would have the eyes on your lower back within the first week.
Deleteвы должны показать уважение сука!!!!
DeleteTo anonymous, bet you a 100 dollars for your sexual gratification poof
DeleteHad a member of the family who did time Ukraine. Im originally from Odessa now live in Brooklyn. Been looking to get a tattoo to remind me of my background. Not affiliated with any Russian crime family in here but do a lot of business with others. Never did any time. I be dying to get a small orthodox church on my back but not trying to disrespect believes of people who really live by these laws... Not trying to do Kreml, but a small church like u c outside of big cities... What you think would be appropriate or may be something added to make sure Im not going to be looked by VOR as a punk.
ReplyDeleteBtw whoever said they so skiny... U better stay away from them skiny dudes cause they come close and take it personal.
Can someone please tell me the meaning of SLON (elephant)
ReplyDeleteSLON - Smert Legavim Ot Nozha - Death to cops by knife or something like that.
ReplyDeleteThe meanings of the tattoos are wrong from this blog few are right. The people I know would never tell someone who has not earned his own if u get me. I showed one the meanings. He did time in the shortest Russian prison there was he won't even repeat the name of the prison but he would say it was deep in the coldest parts u could imagine and he laughed at these meanings some. He had one or two but told me because I did time for allegedly selling 100 vw rolls. And had the book thrown at me five years because it was during the zero tolerance time for ecstasy but he told me not to repeat what I was told
ReplyDeleteMy boyfriend and his family is from Russia and i am covered in tattoos..yes I've been to prison a fare share, some of my tattoos are jail tattoos others are too remember people. That's why his family tends to hate me, lol they don't understand how in America we make are own translations
ReplyDelete-Kot
I'm fascinated from other cultures Underworld's ...diff ppl and diff meaning but we are still "sons of war" .
ReplyDeleteI'm chicano and we live by a diff lifestyle and meaning with our tatoos, except in my culture! Wearing a tattoo that symbolizing a meaning and you have no respect or have a CHAQUETA "jacket or record" ...is mainly punishable by death depending on the tattoo and gang its from, only time we cutt off a tattoo besides that reason is if you got "X" out.. russians have church or towers signifies your time in prison, we use gaurd towers or a clock with no hands etc.. but anyways Iove to read about other criminal cultures.
I have always wanted a black rose on the back of my left hand with Здесь покоится упал above and рука Бога below
ReplyDeleteabout US army tattoos i need some big article with photos. i will translate it and post on russian blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.texasobserver.org/2722-the-skins-they-carried-military-tattoos-in-the-age-of-iraq/
DeleteWhat does it eyes on the loins mean?
ReplyDeleteDont get russian tattoos if ur not russian n not a russian crimal ull buy big time for it.
ReplyDelete2Michał Ryczkowski:
ReplyDeletei don't know
You have an email ad? I need to show you something. I need help inbinterpreting a vor tattoo. Thanks!
DeleteI have 16 point stars on my knees. Knew the meaning but didn't know it was tied to vor. I'm 1st gen Ukrainian American. Did fair share of time? Can my knees be taken as disrespect to vor?
ReplyDeleteI would be but dont sweat it. If u have time to post then they havent gotten you already..
DeleteYes, they are for authority figures in the CRIMINAL WORLD AND ARE ONLY WORN BY LIFE TIME CRIMINALS WHOgain worthiness to speak their mind on topics of the underworlds dealings
DeleteMy cousin is from romania and has one star on his knee 5 cross his heart and one on his throat. With a mary holding a cross on his back. Hes been in jail for 10 yrs justgot home to the usa . What do his tattoos mean im scared to ask...
ReplyDeleteI am from Odessa. By the law VOR cannot take pictures of his tattoos and give intevues to anybody, even though when he is confronted by cops he suppose to identify himself by saying that he is a VOR. If u have stars on your knees and u cooperate with any authority might get u into gryz 200 status. As well as initial pleasing them on your knees.
ReplyDeleteThe tattoo of the horizon means that the person loves freedom and is escape - minded. "I was born free, and should be free".
ReplyDeleteSource: Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia vol. II
Whats does having only one eye mean? I know two mean on you're lower stomach your a downcast/homosexual
ReplyDeletewhat about only one eye? Ive seen like two inmates with only one tattoed on them, please a reply would be much appreciated: )
, a bow tie was forcibly added to the picture of the cat’s head on pickpockets who had broken the thieves’ code and sided with the cops or prison authorities compass tattoo meaning
ReplyDeleteI am currently in ukraine and had 8 point nautical star tattoos on each knew.
ReplyDeleteI'm not Russian neither Ukrainian, I can say I am a bit of a Crim and self confessed thief.
I know there is stigma against certain tattoos and that people get scared, judge or even angry when they see such things.
Apart from the obvious is there anything else you want to throw some light on as far as my tattoos are concerned?
Great site by the way.....
Why do some have the 'star of david' tattoo....is it zionist or what?
ReplyDeletehello i have the sentence glaza zerkalo dushi on my chest. to me it just means i can find out if i will score a girl or not after looking at her eyes in less than 20 seconds. i fucked more than 300 girls in my life lol. do u think vor would hate that?
ReplyDeleteVors sister thinks your a real stud lol. Dirty fucking slut
Deletei think not
ReplyDeleteI have my knees done in that syle
ReplyDeleteAll these tattoos are indicaters of the criminal life style and rules in Russian prison /underworld circles.BUT the rules are more or less the same in all underworld/prison communities,such as no rapists,child molesters,granny bashers etc,you get slashed to pieces in English jails for these crimes,also for informing,we sort are own problems out,And is the same in jails the world over,after all criminals have family and feelings to,but we don't involve police and have the temperament to punish wrong UN's,thats how the groups work.The tatoos show this.
ReplyDeleteWhy the hell does this come up with exerpt about scorpion tattoos meaning when scorpion is never mentioned in article?! Fuck you Google.
ReplyDeleteNow my brother has 8 star tattoo on his chest and i got the same beacuse he was killed not long ago. now im reading theyre tied to the russian mafia. i dont know why i would be kinda iffy about it and i dont plan on going to russia anytime soon. can i have these tattoos? i read that it was a ''disrepecting authorities tatto'' but i dont want to be caught on a beach in thailand and get stabbed for not speaking russian.. i loved my brother more than anything in life but if it means my own is at risk id rather jsut get it coverd up.
ReplyDeletethanks for anyone who replies with an answer i will defintly keep a check on em
With criminal tattoos you can find problems in prison. Outside of prison is unlikely.
ReplyDeleterussion lion tattooo
ReplyDeletenyc bloags
Lion tattoo
Hello, I got a star tattoo on my shoulders without knowing its meaning.Will I be punished for this reason??
ReplyDelete