The star on the hand is the meaning. Tattoo rings. Other tattoo abbreviations

Prison tattoos can be safely called a whole subculture that has existed for decades, not only in our country, but throughout the world. In all countries in the world, there is a special hierarchy among prison tattoos, and one of the brightest places is defined for thieves there. Thieves' tattoos, photos of which can be found on the Internet, are endowed with strict symbolism and sign language, which any prisoner or former "in places not so remote" can easily read. Below we give the symbols and meanings. Thieves' tattoos, the sketches of which may differ depending on the place of imprisonment, are the most common tattoos, and deserve special attention.

Thief tattoo on the back

Hierarchy of the prison world

Tattoos of the criminal world constitute a separate, special category of tattoos, and thieves' tattoos are no exception and obey the law generally accepted in the criminal environment. It is this law, not confirmed and not fixed anywhere, that determines what, where and to whom it is possible or necessary to depict on the skin as a tattoo. It so happened that the meaning of a tattoo in the criminal world is determined by the person himself - the wearer of the tattoo, his status in the society of criminals, the type and complexity of the crime he committed.

In many countries of the world, tattoos were originally used by the state itself to designate convicts and bandits, it was a kind of stigma that marked criminals for life, reminding them of their dark past.

The thieves' tattoo, the meaning of which is clear only thanks to its classification, is the most common tattoo in the underworld. One of the most commonly used symbols of serving a sentence are rings. The number of rings most often equals the number of convictions, each ring carries information about what the offender was sitting for, how much, and sometimes in what place. Each ring has its own name and meaning, and for thieves they also look special and contain a number that indicates either the number of thefts or the number of convictions.

Star on knee with swastika - thief tattoo/span>

The meaning of tattoos on the zone

Any criminal tattoos must be earned. Whether it's an elite tattoo or an infamous one, it's often done for either achievement inside the prison or for infamous deeds. The latter, by the way, are often stabbed by force, as a sign of shame for life, and the procedure itself is quite humiliating. A particularly sadistic way of such "justice": get a tattoo in a conspicuous place, for example, on the neck or on the forehead.

Thief tattoo - a cat with a crowbar in his hands

Thieves' tattoos can tell a lot about the fate and life of their owner. Each symbol or phrase printed on the zone has its own special meaning. Some of the tattoos are aimed at expressions of protest or propaganda, most often anti-government, and some call for theft or murder. In any case, tattoos in the world of prisoners are not used just like that, as decoration, they always carry a deep symbolism and a mysterious essence.

Thieves tattoo in the form of armor on the shoulder

What tattoos can identify a thief?

Stars with a cross inside. Meaning - "Steal and let others steal."
Picture of numbers. This image is applied by those prisoners who do not have a very high rating inside the prison. The numbers on the tattoo may mean the numbers of the article of the Criminal Code, according to which sentences were passed.
Image of an executioner. Indicates that a person is imprisoned for theft.
Spider tattoo, cobwebs. In the prison world, spider tattoos are not only thieves, but also racists, drug addicts. If the spider crawls up, it means "I stole and will steal", if down, then "I stole and tied up." If the spider is depicted without a web, then most likely it indicates a pickpocket. The circles of the web mean the number of years in prison in the zone. One circle equals one year.
Rings. They are applied to the fingers with the numbers of the article for which the thief is sitting.
star with swastika. Thief in law tattoo with the slogan "I was born free".
Inscriptions: "I love freedom, I don't believe in death." "PEACE - I will be corrected by execution." "To each his own". Tattoos of thieves in law.
Star with a picture of a woman and a baby inside. Often depicted with the slogan "I've been stealing since childhood". "I chose my own destiny."
Peak suit. It also indicates that the owner of such a tattoo is imprisoned for theft.
Bull . Cruelty and rage. The bearers of the tattoos are "bulls" and fighters, persons repairing physical violence by order of the thief in law.
Bat. Night thief.
mother of God. The man embarked on the thieves' path at a young age. It can also mean a talisman against any misfortune, misfortune.
cat with keys. Apartment thief, clerk.

Thief in a tattoo with stars on his shoulders

Domes and angels on a thief's tattoo

And I just like the theme of prison tattoos from different countries, and I decided to make myself the same too) At first I wanted to make tears on my face, well, it means that while I was in prison, one of my relatives died, such tattoos are made by prisoners- Hispanics. But I decided that this is a bad sign, but no one died with me. As a result, I got a thieves' tattoo, as we do in the Russian zone - a star, which depicts a woman with a baby in her arms. For me it's not easy

A senior forensic expert at the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs named Arkady Bronnikov, over 30 years of his service, has collected a huge collection of photographs of prison tattoos. Next, you will see a transcript and description of the prison symbols, which the prisoners stuff on the skin in the form of a tattoo.

In the photo: a snake wrapping around the neck is a sign that the owner of the tattoo is using drugs. Most prisoners are either alcoholics or drug addicts. They committed many crimes in a state of intoxication. Stars on the collarbones and epaulettes on the shoulders indicate that we have authority in front of us. The prisoner's pants are part of the uniform of a special regime colony, the most severe prison regime in the Soviet Union. Prisoners of such colonies are called especially dangerous recidivists; they can be responsible for such serious crimes as pedophilia. They are sentenced to stricter detention than other prisoners and cannot be released on parole.

The stars on the shoulders indicate that this prisoner is a criminal "authority". Medals are pre-revolutionary awards, so their image becomes a sign of disobedience to the Soviet regime. Eyes on the abdomen indicate the homosexuality of their owner (the penis becomes the "nose" on the depicted face).

Images of monasteries, churches, cathedrals, the Virgin Mary, saints and angels, usually on the chest and back, mean belonging to the thieves' world and its "concepts". Skull tattoos, in some places accompanied by an image of a flying angel, indicate that the prisoner was convicted of murder. The coffin is another sign of murder; the dead are buried in it.

The shape of the epaulettes tattooed on the shoulders is borrowed either from the pre-revolutionary form or from the existing Soviet one, both options indicate a negative attitude of their owner towards the system. These tattoos are found on crime bosses who have nicknames such as "major" or "colonel". Epaulettes with three small stars or skulls can be deciphered as follows: “I am not a slave of the camps, no one can force me to work”, “I am a prisoner, but born free”, “I am a colonel in the zone - I will not get my hands dirty on a wheelbarrow”, “ The strong win - the weak die”, “Horses die from work”.

On the hand is written "Remember me, do not forget" and "I have been waiting for you for 15 years."
This person is a Muslim. On the stomach on the left is a cult building with a crescent moon, the features of his face also indicate that he is not Russian. He is not the authority of the thieves' world, but he tried to pretend to be one with the help of tattoos, which were supposed to increase his position in the prison hierarchy. The lighthouse on the right hand denotes the desire for freedom. Handcuffs on each wrist indicate that he has been sentenced to more than five years in prison.

Madonna and Child - a talisman of thieves, protecting from misfortunes and troubles. It also indicates that the wearer has been a thief from an early age: "Prison is my home", "Child of prison".

Eight-pointed stars are the emblems of a thief-authority living according to "thieves' concepts." There are many options for "thieves" stars. The lines inside the ends of the star mean that the owner of the tattoo did military service, but left it and went into crime, literally the tattoos of such prisoners mean "I despise the army."

This prisoner is a victim of syphilis, the disease leaving deep scars on his face, eyes and mouth. In prisons and colonies, prisoners, both men and women, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases(such as syphilis) are called "bouquet". They are also awarded military ranks depending on how severe the condition of the disease is. For example, “Kolka was hanging around the women and didn’t take a steam bath, yesterday the doctor told me that he was already a “lieutenant”” (a prisoner suffering from syphilis of the second stage is called a “colonel”, the third is called a “general”). There have been cases of people contracting syphilis, AIDS and tetanus while getting tattoos in unsanitary prison conditions. Tattooing is prohibited in prisons and camps. The status of this procedure grew as it became more and more secret due to prohibitions and harsh penalties from the administration.

The "demons" on the shoulders of this prisoner symbolize hatred for authorities and the prison hierarchy. This type of tattoo is known as a "grin" - its owner "shows his teeth" to the system. Sometimes "grins" accompany anti-Soviet signatures.

On the hands is written: "Thank you, dear Motherland, for our ruined youth."
The image of a dagger on the throat indicates that the prisoner committed a murder in prison, and he can be hired to commit another one. Drops of blood can mean the number of people he killed.
Many criminals perceive Lenin as the "godfather" (leader) of the Communist Party. The letters VOR, which can sometimes be seen under his image, carry a double meaning. It is an acronym for the phrase "Leader of the October Revolution", but also simply the Russian word for "thief".

The inscription on the chest: "He who is not with me is against me."
The swastika and Nazi symbols can mean that their owner is sympathetic to fascism, although they are more often done to show the hostility of the prisoner to the prison or camp administration. During the Soviet period, the administration often removed such tattoos by force, either surgically or with ink. The image of a mermaid can mean a sentence for the rape of a child or the molestation of a minor. In prison jargon, to refer to the perpetrator of such a crime, there are the words "Amurik", "shaggy" and "universal". They become "lowered" in the prison hierarchy after being raped by other inmates, sometimes in groups.

The inscription above the cross: “Oh God! Save and save your servant ... Victor", under the cross - "God, judge me not according to my deeds, but according to your mercy." The inscription above the waist "*** need and grief ..." [Indifferent to need and grief].
The skull and bones indicate that the prisoner is serving a life sentence. One eight-pointed star means that he is a semi-authority among thieves. A girl catching a dress with a fishing rod on her left forearm is a tattoo of hooligans and rapists. A snake coiled around human remains (in the crook of each arm) is a variant of an old thief's tattoo. The snake is a symbol of temptation, here the head of the snake was replaced by the female head of the temptress. On the right side of the abdomen is Giorgione's 1504 version of Judith: a symbol of a sly seductress who betrays a noble man.

Dollar bills, skyscrapers and a vending machine with the US abbreviation speak of the prisoner's love for the American mafia lifestyle. Eyes mean "I'm watching you" (for other prisoners in a prison or camp).

On the hand under the image of the skull is written the phrase in Latin Memento Mori, which means "Remember that you are dust."
The double-headed eagle is a symbol of Russian statehood, dating back to the 15th century and used by Peter the Great. After the fall of communism in 1993, he replaced the hammer and sickle on the coat of arms Russian Federation. The photo was taken during the Soviet period, when a tattoo in the form of this emblem was a sign of hatred for the USSR. It can also be interpreted as "Russia for Russians" or "For Russia without Jews, Khachis and Marxist-Leninists." The Statue of Liberty indicates a longing for freedom, and a dark character with a gun says that this prisoner is ready for violence and murder. The eyes on the chest mean "I see everything" and "I watch", this is the famous tattoo of a prisoner belonging to the "watcher" caste. An eight-pointed star on the shoulders means that its owner is a thief-authority.

The inscription on the right hand: "Take care of love and freedom." On the right hand: "Sinner". The inscription on the chest: "To each his own." The inscription under the skulls: "God is against everyone, everyone is against God." On the wrist is written Mein Gott, "My God" in German.
A cowboy with a gun indicates that this thief is ready to take risks and will not miss a single challenge. A dove carrying a branch (on the left shoulder) is a symbol of good news and deliverance from suffering.

The stars on the shoulders mark the thief-authority. A rose on his chest means that he met his eighteenth birthday in prison. For the abbreviation SOS on the right forearm, there are several decoding options: “Save me from the court”, “I am saved from bitches”, “I am saved from syphilis”, “Save, father, son”, “Bitches have taken away freedom”.

The inscription on the chest: "Save and save." On each side of the cross is written "ХВ" ("Christ is Risen").
An eight-pointed star on the collarbone indicates a high position in the thieves' hierarchy. A bow tie around the neck is often found in maximum security colonies. This image was originally an infamous tattoo. Such tattoos were forcibly made to pickpockets who violated the "thieves' concepts" and started working for the administration, they were placed under the images of cats on the collarbones. However, later the connection of this symbol with shameful marks disappeared. The dollar sign on the butterfly shows that its owner is either a bear cub, or was involved in money laundering, or was convicted of stealing state property.

This tattoo is a variation of the myth of Prometheus, who deceived Zeus and was chained to a rock for eternal punishment. A ship with white sails means that the prisoner is not engaged normal work, he is a touring thief and prone to escapism.

The fashion for decorating one's body through tattoos today has spread to all sectors of society, while earlier it was an advantage for people in the criminal world or the world of prisoners. This article will reveal the topic "Prison tattoos and their meaning."

A bit of history

It is worth saying a few words about the world of prisoners and their foundations. So, in Russia, this is actually the second power, which, of course, is an anti-system, an opponent of the current managers of the country. It will be interesting that this alignment of things exists only in two other countries - Papua New Guinea and South Africa. As for Russia, it dates back to the 18th century, when the criminal hierarchy was formed in response to the restoration of the Prussian bureaucratic system. So, in order to be different and have their own designations, the thieves and the criminal world came up with their own language, which they borrowed partly from small merchants - ofen, and partly from the Jews, who at that time were also an oppressed people. And, of course, the place in the criminal hierarchy of any prisoner is determined by his tattoo.

Types of tattoos

Studying prison tattoos and their meaning, it is worth saying that they are all divided into three main types. First: regular drawings, which make it possible to distinguish a person of the highest levels of the prison hierarchy. It is worth saying that not everyone can apply tattoos on the zone. Such an honor must be earned, or it will be a forced drawing. The second type is porters. These are drawings that were made by prisoners on their own from various improvised means, by self-taught and not specialized craftsmen. And the third type of tattoo: impudent ones, which were stuffed as a certain shameful sign to the prisoner solely under duress. These are prisoners of the lowest hierarchy, who are convicted according to certain laws or did not follow the principles of the prison world.

inscriptions

So, we consider the topic "prison tattoos and their meaning" further. First of all, I would like to say that the prisoners could fill themselves with inscriptions of any type. But basically, these are not full phrases, but their shortened version, understandable only to the underworld, which was deciphered by capital letters. As an example, on the body of those who have served time, you can see the words “HORN”, which stands for the first letters of what is written: the state doomed them to slaves forever, “CALL” - know the thieves, they will teach very cool, “CAT” - the native inhabitant of the prison or “BREAD - I will keep love forever. There are many such inscriptions, some of them may disappear due to their irrelevance (for example, inscriptions about Soviet power), while new ones appear from time to time.

Legs

Prisoners may use their entire body. So, prison tattoos are often placed on the legs. The first drawing, which seems very important to many prisoners, is that they are also commonly called “stars of lawlessness”. Their variations are different, but the meaning is always the same: "I will never kneel before anyone." This is a freedom-loving tattoo, to which the convicts say that they are rebellious and independent, no matter what. However, not everyone will be able to fill this picture, such an honor must be earned by “correct behavior” from the point of view of convicts in places of deprivation of liberty. If a person has such a tattoo, but he gave a slack, they can simply cut it off with skin from the knees of a delinquent criminal. Also, the prisoners were very fond of putting various chains and shackles on their feet, which meant that even if they were free, they still consider themselves prisoners. The image on the leg of a police officer's epaulette, pierced with a dagger, meant "the urine of the cops", but did not define the prisoner according to his place in the hierarchical structure.

and shoulders

It is also worth considering the meaning of prison ones. So, the first of them is an epaulette, which is placed on the shoulders. They were worn by people who distinguished themselves well, this is a sign for certain services to the community. It is very difficult to deserve such a tattoo, but it raised the prisoner to a certain level in the criminal hierarchy. The subclavian stars were also important, which deciphered ambiguously: they could mean both a thief in law and a “denier”, a person who opposes prison orders. Pickpockets applied drawings in the form of beetles to the hands. You could also write the word "BEETLE", which meant "I wish you successful thefts." Next, it is worth considering the meaning of prison tattoos "spider", "cat with a key", "bat". The spider also denoted a person from the world of thieves (sometimes a drug addict). If the spider crawls up its web, this means that the person will continue to steal, if down, he “tied up with theft.” Burglar thieves drew cats with keys on their hands. Well, another symbol of the thief was Lenin, or rather his profile, which could be drawn on the shoulder or on the chest. Everything comes from the decoding of the word: "VOR" - the Leader of the October Revolution. Night thieves drew bats on their bodies.

rings

It is also important to consider the meaning of prison tattoos on the fingers, because these are special drawings that can be used to determine the status of a person who was in prison. So, the most important drawings on the fingers are rings. There are a huge number of them here, but some of them may seem very similar to an unknowing person, in fact they distinguish people from completely different criminal castes. Drawings on the index finger of the right hand distinguish the train thief who commits thefts on the road, special drawings can tell how cruel he is and what methods he uses. So, for example, a black triangle indicates that a person is particularly cruel. Thieves in law, special criminals, repeat offenders put drawings on their middle fingers. People are respected in the criminal environment, leaders draw tattoos on their thumbs, this can also distinguish a specialist in a certain field or an expert. A rhombus in a square on the ring finger distinguishes a criminal of the lower stratum, who is considered low for certain actions, can be forced into sodomy, that is, “lowered”. If a person is corrected, the rhombus can be shaded, which will indicate that the person was punished according to criminal laws. The letter "C" on the middle finger is forcibly applied to those persons who are commonly called "stuffed", that is, those who cooperate with law enforcement agencies. For such a tattoo, you can suffer severe punishment not only in the zone, but already in the wild. In special schools, guys can tattoo themselves in the form of a diamond, in the upper corner of which there is a dot, and at the bottom - a cross. This means authority among adolescents, one of the highest in the adolescent hierarchy. This is far from full list tattoos on the fingers, there are a huge number of them for each member in the criminal environment and the environment of prisoners.

Religion

Considering prison tattoos and their meaning, it is worth saying that very often prisoners inflict drawings with religious meaning. So what do they mean? The Mother of God, applied mainly on the back or chest, can mean a talisman against any evil, or that a person has taken the path of a criminal too early, even at a young age. Of great importance is the stuffed church on the body of the criminal. So, the number of domes means the number of walkers per zone or the number of years spent in prison. they applied crucifixes of various sizes to their bodies, this distinguished a prisoner of the highest criminal hierarchy, and it is a great honor to deserve such a tattoo. Prisoners could also stuff bells for themselves. This meant that the person served his entire term in the zone, that is, “from bell to bell.” They could also draw monks who write. It meant a scribbler thief who could scribble any letter with no problem, or it meant a person who skillfully worked with sharp objects such as a razor or knife.

points

Prison tattoos could also be extremely simple. So, great importance have dots stuffed on the prisoner's body. What could they mean? The five-point tattoo is very popular, four points along the edges indicate the prison walls, and the fifth, in the center, the prisoner himself. They stuffed it mainly between the index and middle fingers, which meant that the person had visited the zone. Just three full dots can mean a person who enjoys leading a life of crime and perceives himself as a bandit. If the person who filled such a tattoo is religious, it can mean the Holy Trinity.

A tear

Considering further the meanings of prison tattoos, one cannot fail to mention the tear applied to the area around the eye (however, this drawing is mainly of European and American prisoners). It has several meanings. So, first: a person received a term for violating the law, that is, he simply ended up in places of detention. Second: the tear symbolizes the killer. If it is not painted over, this may mean an attempted murder or that a friend of a prisoner has died and retribution will follow.

About love

The prison meaning of the rose tattoo will seem interesting to many. So, this is the ruined youth of the seated one. And since it is a flower of love, it is not difficult to guess what else a rose can mean. So, if it is drawn next to a dagger, it means blood for treason. Furry thieves, that is, those who are imprisoned for rape, can simply stuff their hearts on themselves. The one who vowed to avenge the desecrated heart, pierced by one or two daggers.

Animals and birds

The prison meaning of the wolf tattoo is very interesting. The abbreviation alone can tell you what it means. "WOLF" - a thief's breath, a cop's cover. Distinguishes people who hate the servants of order and are ready to deal with them at any time. If a prisoner stuffs a tiger on his body, this means that he is angry at everyone, especially at the authorities. It can also distinguish a person who is very cruel and evil. The painted cat is a symbol of thieves. If he also has a bow with him, this means that the person sold himself to the cops, for which he can be punished from time to time by the inhabitants of the world of prisoners. The profile of a bull denotes a person who is a fighter and can act on behalf of the main authority in various fights. Also, this picture distinguishes a cruel person who quickly becomes enraged. What does a scorpion tattoo mean? The meaning of prison has several different options. So, it can simply denote the sign of the zodiac, but this is its most harmless meaning. Such a tattoo can identify a former commando. If the claws of a scorpion are open, then the person was a participant in hostilities (which is welcome in the zone). The scorpion is also stuffed by those who were in solitary confinement. If the scorpion is drawn at gunpoint, this means a person who participated in the hostilities in Chechnya.

Other drawings

The masks stuffed on the body of the prisoner indicate the mood of the person himself before the release and during its passage (joy and sadness). Pirates are stuffed by people who are in jail for robbery. A joker or cards are drawn on the body by gambling people who have fallen into the zone for the same reason. A knife in the neck will tell others that a person cut someone, while a swastika or Nazi symbols are stuffed by those who do not agree with the modern government.

The stars on the shoulders indicate that this prisoner is a crime boss. Medals are pre-revolutionary awards, so their image becomes a sign of disobedience to the Soviet regime. Eyes on the abdomen indicate the homosexuality of their owner (the penis becomes the "nose" on the depicted face).

The Madonna and Child is a talisman of thieves, protecting from misfortunes and troubles. It also indicates that the wearer was a thief from an early age: "Prison is my home", "Child of prison".

This prisoner is a victim of syphilis, the disease leaving deep scars on his face, eyes and mouth. In prisons and colonies, prisoners, both men and women, suffering from venereal diseases (such as syphilis) are called "bunchies". They are also awarded military ranks depending on how severe the condition of the disease is. For example, “Kolka was hanging around the women and didn’t take a steam bath, yesterday the doctor told me that he was already a “lieutenant”” (a prisoner suffering from second-stage syphilis is called a “colonel”, the third - “general”). There have been cases of people contracting syphilis, AIDS and tetanus while getting tattoos in unsanitary prison conditions. Tattooing is prohibited in prisons and camps. The status of this procedure grew as it became more and more secret due to prohibitions and harsh penalties from the administration.

The inscription above the cross: “Oh God! Save and save your servant... Viktor”, under the cross – “God, judge me not according to my deeds, but according to your mercy”. The inscription above the waist "*** need and grief ..." [Indifferent to need and grief].
The skull and bones indicate that the prisoner is serving a life sentence. One eight-pointed star means that he is a semi-authority among thieves. A girl catching a dress with a fishing rod on her left forearm is a tattoo of hooligans and rapists. A snake coiled around human remains (in the crook of each arm) is a variant of an old thief's tattoo. The snake is a symbol of temptation, but here the head of the snake was replaced by the female head of the temptress. On the right side of the abdomen is Giorgione's 1504 version of Judith: a symbol of a sly seductress betraying a noble man.

On the hand under the image of the skull is written the phrase in Latin Memento Mori, which means "Remember that you are dust."
The double-headed eagle is a symbol of Russian statehood, dating back to the 15th century and used by Peter the Great. After the fall of communism in 1993, it replaced the hammer and sickle on the coat of arms of the Russian Federation. The photo was taken during the Soviet period, when a tattoo in the form of this emblem was a sign of hatred for the USSR. It can also be interpreted as "Russia for Russians" or "For Russia without Jews, Khachis and Marxist-Leninists." The Statue of Liberty indicates a longing for freedom, and a dark character with a gun says that this prisoner is ready for violence and murder. The eyes on the chest mean "I see everything" and "I watch", this is the famous tattoo of a prisoner belonging to the "watcher" caste. An eight-pointed star on the shoulders means that its owner is a thief-authority.

This tattoo is a variation of the myth of Prometheus, who deceived Zeus and was chained to a rock for eternal punishment. A ship with white sails means that the prisoner does not do ordinary work, he is a touring thief and prone to escape.

In recent years, the fashion for tattoos has increased markedly. Despite the stereotypes, grandmothers' discontent and ridiculous comments of religious fanatics, the majority of the people treat the drawings on the body with respect, and their owners with understanding and even slight envy. If earlier people with tattoos evoked associations with jailers or the military, now a tattoo is a work of art that causes only admiration.

From the history of prison tattoos

The art of wearable drawings is developing rapidly. Just like literature, architecture or painting, tattoos are divided into trends, styles and trends. Among them, prison tattoos stand out, which were originally used in places of deprivation of liberty as the so-called “brand”. Later, their essence changed a little and the convicts themselves began to stuff them as their calling card. An ordinary drawing could tell about its owner and his past, and his beliefs, as well as his position in the criminal hierarchy.

Types of zone tattoos

Senseless prison tattoos simply do not exist. Each of them certainly carries certain information. Among them are the so-called "Regals", "porters" and "sassy".
The first stuffed the best of the best - the "elite" of the underworld. The work is done with high quality, the drawing is displayed in bright colors with maximum observance of trifles.
The name "ports" comes from the word "spoil". It is not difficult to guess that they do not shine with special beauty. Such work is carried out mainly by improvised means and to a greater extent without thinking about the meaning of the picture.
"Sassy" on the body of a convict appear, mainly not by his will - through threats, punishments and humiliations, which is why they remain a humiliating stigma for life.

Prison tattoos and their meaning

In the prison world, the meaning of tattoos is taken with great responsibility. Having stuffed a drawing “from the ceiling” and not even inquiring about its designation, you can run into very serious troubles. To avoid this, you will have to remember what prison tattoos mean:

Mother of God - a tattoo-amulet. Most often it says that its owner at a very early age embarked on the path of lawlessness.
The cat is a symbol of good luck. Such a tattoo can tell about the owner's caution. Pickpockets add a butterfly to the cat. A cat with keys is made by burglars.
Church is a serious tattoo for serious convicts. The number of domes matches the number of its walkers.
The tiger is a sign of cruelty. Usually such tattoos are stuffed by those who are very angry with the state or law enforcement agencies.
A spider in a web is a sign of a thief or drug addict. Moreover, even the direction of the spider matters: if it climbs up, then its owner will continue the work, and if it goes down, it means that it is tied up.
The crucifix is a symbol of criminal authority. Not everyone dares to fill such a pattern.
The swastika and runes are a protest against the authorities.
The knife in the barbed wire is a sign of a convict who committed crimes in prison.
The bull is a sign of cruelty.
Rose and dagger - a crime due to treason.
The Joker is the sign of the gambler.
A woman with a devil or a snake is a sign that a prisoner is in prison because of a woman.
A wind musical instrument is a sign of non-traditional orientation.
The rising sun symbolizes dreams of coming freedom.

The meaning of tattoos by body parts

The place where the tattoo is made also matters. Eg:

stars on the shoulders - a denial of prison laws or a sign of a thief in law,
stars on your knees - love of freedom and refusal to obey the law;
eyes on the buttocks - a sign of the lowest layer among the prisoners;
a woman with wings on her wrist is a symbol of good luck;
female prison tattoos in the form of a woman in a crown, with a rose or butterflies on her forearm - a sign of a prostitute.

Depending on the part of the body on which the tattoo is stuffed, its meaning may also change.
It is worth considering separately prison tattoos on the fingers. They have a whole history, amazing and unique. An ordinary ring on the hands can have dozens of meanings. It can be filled with card debtors, and hereditary thieves, and murderers, and rapists. Depending on the image on the ring, he can talk about the number of walkers, and the place of detention, and the article under which he was convicted, and even his attitude to the world. To see the difference, you need to see the prison tattoos in the photo, because even small changes in the picture can change all the information about the owner. And it would be better if everyone knew exactly what the tattoo would tell about him.