Comments on: The Illustrated Mobster: Tattoos of the Russian Mafia

By: Anon

Anon — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:36:28 +0000

I’m a woman in the U.S. who used to date a man from the former Soviet Union, and what is interesting is that he was surprised to find a tattoo on my hip. He pointed out that where he grew up, only criminals had them, and begged me to never get any more.

I love this post and the comments following, thanks to everybody who’s contributed! Fascinating.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:47:44 +0000

I think the most haunting aspect of the images are the men’s expressions. They appear much more vulnerable and frightened than one would expect of hardened criminals.

By: marissa

marissa — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:24:00 +0000

the one with the web means he has killed before

By: Russian criminal tattoo blog

Russian criminal tattoo blog — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:56:00 +0000

this photos of D.Weber,he have more pics of tattoos.
Eastern Promises i saw and i not liked but possibly this movie best of all another movies about russian mafia.

By: Armianski kash

Armianski kash — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:59:51 +0000

Tim had a point there
i have 6 cats on me
they Call me Kash
i dont think this website should excist
especially EPEBAH
the eagle tattoo
vor v zakone
the cat lenin the claws the cross
the church.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:43:24 +0000

this is regarding the comment posted by Aussie Daniel on 3-12-2008. the “bearded man” is lenin it this tattoo protected the prisoner from being shot or stabbed in that area of the body (in this case its over the heart of the prisoner). also the cat means that the man was/ is a thief.

By: Aussie Daniel

Aussie Daniel — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:02:46 +0000

That final picture, with the man with the cat on the left and the face with the man with the beard means the man gets sexually molestered in prison. A bearded mans face represents a ‘front bum’ and is used to indicate he is sexually abused in prison.
Nice post.

By: CEBEP

CEBEP — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:31:06 +0000

I know a few of them, I think.The spider in its web means sme kind of drug addiction and the cathedral or church the number of domes represent the number of prison sentences or years incarcerated, i believe.

By: marianne

marianne — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 00:33:12 +0000

coming back from seeing this movie at the theatre, I hastened to the computer to research them. SO fascinating. Anyways, there’s a wikipedia entry, but I’m not entirely sold on it’s accuracy. I’m definitely hoping to get “Russian Criminal Tattoo” though, I’ve heard good things about it.

By: pearly

pearly — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:07:10 +0000

“Russian Criminal Tattoo” by Danzig Baldaev is one of the most fascinating and engaging reads you’ll find on the subject. Explains all you would ever want to know about the meaning of the tattoos and why they are associated with the modern-day mob.