Russia's leading expert on criminal tattoos

The differences between Russian tattoo meanings and Australian is quite interesting. Especially the mention that for Russians the spider is a reference to drug users, while it is known in Australia to have been associated with pedophiles.

Re: Russia's leading expert on criminal tattoos

#7

Post by gtvwill » Thu, Dec 24, 2015, 9:17 PM UTC

mattress wrote: post #5

Fascinating, but aren't tattoos a big part of prison/gang culture in other countries besides Russia/USSR?

Most certainly, Australia has a plethora of drug related tattoo meanings. E.g. "route 66" road signs are associated with speed use amongst some circles.

Re: Russia's leading expert on criminal tattoos

#8

Post by m0nastic » Thu, Dec 24, 2015, 9:35 PM UTC

A few years back I picked up "Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopedia Volumes 1-3" on Amazon[1] for something I was working on and they are fascinating.

[1] http://www.amazon.com/Russian-Criminal-Tattoo-Encyclopaedia-...

Re: Russia's leading expert on criminal tattoos

#9

Post by knughit » Thu, Dec 24, 2015, 9:37 PM UTC

gtvwill wrote: post #7

mattress wrote: post #5

Fascinating, but aren't tattoos a big part of prison/gang culture in other countries besides Russia/USSR?

Most certainly, Australia has a plethora of drug related tattoo meanings. E.g. "route 66" road signs are associated with speed use amongst some circles.

Why do people tattoo their specific drug addiction/use? Does it serve some purpose, like untraceable/unprovable communication to set up drug deals?

Re: Russia's leading expert on criminal tattoos

#10

Post by romanhn » Thu, Dec 24, 2015, 9:41 PM UTC

Bronnikov's elder son Vladimir ... also served in police. After 17 years of service, he was badly beaten undertaking his duties and his spine was broken. He now walks on crutches. His younger son Evgeniy was beaten to death in the street when trying to save a girl from rapists.

What a dark reminder that in society's underbelly convict tattoos are a sign of prestige and no good deed goes unpunished. No wonder that in cultures with "well-developed" underbellies, altruistic behavior tends to be less prevalent.