The brutal truth behind Tattoos of the Russian Mafia or Vory Tattoos is one that most of us are are only dimly aware of. You might have seen the much acclaimed and multi-award winning movie "Eastern Promises" starring Viggo Mortensen, in which he plays a driver of a Russian Mafia boss' son. Eastern Promises is directed by David Cronenberg and is probably responsible for bringing Tattoos as worn by members of the Russian Mafia into the general public's radar. Viggo, in his role in the film, plays a member of the Russian Mafia, his body riddled with the tattoos that trace his history in the Vory v Zakone - the Russian criminal underworld. The tattoos are in fact a central part of the film, and Viggo spent many hours everyday in the make up room getting the tattoos applied. Several scene's feature the tattoos in depth, and in one, several Mafia bosses actually "read" his life story as Viggo sits, stripped to his underwear with his tattoos on display while he is being given his interview for his promotion to become a "captain".
The film is compelling viewing, really showing the importance and symbolism of the tattoos in the criminal society of the Russian Mafia. These tattoos are however much more than just simple art. Each symbol, each picture, each tattoo is filled with meaning. The tattoos of the Russian Mafia tell the life story of the man wearing them, his sins, his prison sentences, what rank he is, where he is from, and even how many people he has killed.
The tattoos are deeply symbolic and their code is only truly understood by the other members in the organisation. Understanding what each tattoo means is an art in itself (which is why as an outsider, getting a Russian Mafia Tattoo is probably a bad idea). Very often, the symbols used for the tattoo are religious, and can include cathedrals and churches with the number of spires indicating the number of times they have been in prison.
When a new member is initiated into the Russian Mafia, the new recruit is often given a tattoo on their chest which will have a rose. As they progress through the ranks, they may be given more tattoos, with a tattoo of a star on their shoulder and often their knees kept for captains.
The intricate nature of Russian Mafia tattoos apparently originated in the gulag, the brutal prison in Siberia, where those who were incarcerated formed a language of their own through the use of body art, despite it being illegal in the prisons.
There is a strict code of conduct that the members of the Russian Mafia must adhere to. Much like the that of the Mafia in Italy, honour among thieves is sacred. Those who tattoos themselves falsely (to inflate their rank for example) are punished - sometimes by death. Breaking the code in the Vory often results in forced tattoos which are usually embarrasing to wear and placed in a prominent position such as the face or forehead.
Tattoos of the Russian Mafia are very interesting, though not to be inked lightly.
The film is compelling viewing, really showing the importance and symbolism of the tattoos in the criminal society of the Russian Mafia. These tattoos are however much more than just simple art. Each symbol, each picture, each tattoo is filled with meaning. The tattoos of the Russian Mafia tell the life story of the man wearing them, his sins, his prison sentences, what rank he is, where he is from, and even how many people he has killed.
The tattoos are deeply symbolic and their code is only truly understood by the other members in the organisation. Understanding what each tattoo means is an art in itself (which is why as an outsider, getting a Russian Mafia Tattoo is probably a bad idea). Very often, the symbols used for the tattoo are religious, and can include cathedrals and churches with the number of spires indicating the number of times they have been in prison.
When a new member is initiated into the Russian Mafia, the new recruit is often given a tattoo on their chest which will have a rose. As they progress through the ranks, they may be given more tattoos, with a tattoo of a star on their shoulder and often their knees kept for captains.
The intricate nature of Russian Mafia tattoos apparently originated in the gulag, the brutal prison in Siberia, where those who were incarcerated formed a language of their own through the use of body art, despite it being illegal in the prisons.
There is a strict code of conduct that the members of the Russian Mafia must adhere to. Much like the that of the Mafia in Italy, honour among thieves is sacred. Those who tattoos themselves falsely (to inflate their rank for example) are punished - sometimes by death. Breaking the code in the Vory often results in forced tattoos which are usually embarrasing to wear and placed in a prominent position such as the face or forehead.
Tattoos of the Russian Mafia are very interesting, though not to be inked lightly.
