Prison tattoos are proof that the prison elite subculture once flourished. Now, the symbolic marks on the skin no longer have such a meaning, but they are a testimony to the old days.
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Here is an explanation of some prison tattoo symbols:
- “Tears” (two and sometimes three) – a man crying for freedom, lamenting the penalty of imprisonment or the theme – “A man never cries”;
- zinc – a small dot near the left eye – is a sign of belonging to the group of elite prisoners;
- a dot on the forehead, most often between the eyebrows – a freak, a man who knows the secrets of mental disorder simulation, which often requires constant presentation of unconventional behavior, burdensome for the environment, this tattoo in a visible place is to warn the initiates to avoid misunderstandings;
- key crossed out with a cross – burglar;
- a dot behind the ear, on the nose, near the right eye – a buffoon, an individual treated as disgraced, worthy of contempt, condemnation;
- a heart in the area of the left eye, under the zinc cap or instead of it – troublemaker, one of the prison leaders;
- a dash on the extension of the outer corners of the eyes – a person of trust proven by the organization;
- “TAXI” – a man for hire;
- 666 – this tattoo is to warn potential opponents and inform at the same time that its owner is unpredictable;
- a heart in the area of the left eye, under the zinc cap or instead of it – troublemaker, one of the prison leaders;
- a dash on the extension of the outer corners of the eyes – a person of trust proven by the organization;
- vide cul fide – “see whom to trust”, this is a distortion of the Latin sentence fide, sed cui, vide – trust, but be careful who…
- “distinctions” – military epaulettes tattooed on the shoulders. They mean prison time. Each bar is 1 year and each star is 3 years. So the rank of major, i.e. two stripes and an asterisk, is 5 years in prison. Above the rank of colonel – 3 stars and two bars, i.e. 11 years – the symbols should be removed and the general snake tattooed. Filled marks show the number of years served, and their outlines indicate the number of years remaining until the end of the sentence;
- a skull with crossbones at the level of the larynx means a murderer;
- Two “toques” in the upper parts of the forehead mean a vindictive, envious, dangerous even for “his own”, unpredictable, “Russian” man. Signs of bravery, strength and steadfastness. These can be drawings of various terrible creatures, such as: devils, Vikings, monsters, vampires and werewolves expressing horror, aggressive animals and even ghosts.
Words or abbreviations, in Polish, English or Latin:
- Ś.KIFHLIZ – death to the suckers, glory to people and thieves
- born to raise hell – I was born to raise hell
- a serpent in a crown or wrapped around a dagger – revenge done
- hand in broken shackles with a dagger in hand – escape in order to take revenge
- executioner with an ax in one hand and a severed head in the other, next to the executioner’s trunk – “executioner”, a symbol of revenge on his executioners, i.e. representatives of law enforcement and justice
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