The first thing to look for when reading a Russian prisoner’s body is the number of tattoos. As a general rule, the more he has the longer he’s been in prison or the more regularly he’s been in and out of the clink.

Of course the symbols themselves have a meaning, but also the position on the body holds meaning too. Initiation tattoos are often on the chest and include a rose, for instance the Russian Mafia use the rose on chest motif as a symbol of your entrance to the fold.

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