Eight-pointed star in Orthodoxy and other cultures

An artistic tattoo has the meaning that a person decided to give it. In the case of prison “patterns,” everything is completely different - they are applied according to the rank of the prisoner. You will learn further what the stars on the prisoners’ shoulders mean, to whom and when they were applied.

The prison world requires following certain rules and canons. Tattoos are not applied just like that - the desire to draw a star is not enough, it still needs to be earned (by authority, position, behavior in the caste of prisoners).

Eight-pointed stars, both during the times of the USSR and now, in 2022, were and are interpreted unambiguously - this is a sign of a thief . It is most often applied under the collarbones, but there is an option for the knees.

You shouldn’t get stars in these places just for fun in a tattoo parlor, since when you get into the appropriate circles, the owner of the marks will still need to justify the right to own them.

Stars on the shoulders

According to many people unfamiliar with the nuances of thieves’ “portaks,” as a poorly executed tattoo is called in the zone, the stars on the shoulders (more precisely, on the collarbones) clearly indicate their wearer as belonging to the category of thieves in law.
However, this is not so - quite a large number of convicts wear stars on their shoulders, but they have one thing in common: they must be able to “answer” for a prestigious tattoo. In addition to the thieves in law themselves, other representatives of the criminal world who have sufficient authority and willpower to openly resist the camp administration (they are called “negative”) have the right to such a tattoo, and this is very difficult. Stars can have different configurations and the number of rays - from six to ten, but the most common option is an eight-rayed star. In the center of the star, as a rule, are depicted:

• scull;
• lightning;
• another star;
• some other signs.

They all have some meaning: for example, a skull means “I’ll be corrected by shooting,” “come what may,” or “born for torment,” lightning means “crush the cops, cut the bitches,” Hitler’s swastika means “beat the communists.” Any sign has many different interpretations, and given that there are even more combinations and variants of their design, there can be a great many explanations for the star depicted on the shoulder. Sometimes this drawing also indicates the nationality or religion of its owner.

For example, a Muslim thief can impale a crescent moon in the center of a star - a symbol of this religion, and a Jew will depict the Star of David. Although this, of course, is a kind of criminal coquetry, bravado. It is clear that those who occupy high positions in the criminal hierarchy do not follow the commandments of any religion, they simply do not care about it. They have their own code of honor, sacred scripture and creed, which read: “what a thief can do, a fratern can’t.” And the “decodings” of all variations of stars repeat in different interpretations the idea that “death for cops, life for thieves,” and tell about a difficult childhood, which became the reason for choosing the criminal path.

One can absolutely say about the owner of any version of such a tattoo that he belongs, if not to the elite of the criminal world, then to the orthodox “denialist”, and release from prison had no influence on his life beliefs. This is still an antisocial type with a tendency towards aggression and a desire to confirm his personal status at any time. It is better not to have any dealings with such people, because the ability to deceive a “fraer” (that is, anyone who does not belong to their caste) is a matter of boasting and is considered a common norm of behavior.

What does an epaulette tattoo on the left shoulder mean - specific features of the design

Practitioners recommend caution when tattooing an epaulette on the left or right shoulder, because such a tattoo is closely associated with the criminal world. From the point of view of magic, the negative meaning of a thief's image can affect the owner, even if the latter has not previously broken the law

Both men and women can get a tattoo, but only if they are confident in their own strength and only want to strengthen their own leadership qualities.

The magical meaning of the image applied to the skin varies depending on the additional elements, so they should be given special attention

Appearance

It is believed that shoulder straps are the most controversial prison tattoo, since, on the one hand, it is very popular among criminal thieves, and on the other, it represents the military, and this contradicts the concepts of prisoners.

The tattoo represents the shoulder insignia that is used to denote military ranks. Most often, symmetrical images are applied to both hands, but if only one is chosen, then preference, according to tradition, is given to the left.

Considering the prison roots of the tattoo, most of the images are made in the style of realism, less often - old school. The color most often used is black, since bright shades are less popular among thieves.

Guys and girls who are not related to the criminal world do not limit themselves in styles and often remake shoulder straps, adding various images - skulls, faces, splashes of blood, grinning muzzles of animals and even runic signs of the elder Futhark or symbols from the Slavic alphabet. However, the preferred color scheme is black. The most common styles for performing colorful tattoos include the following:

• trash polka;
• new school;
• ethnicity;
• Chicano.

What is the point of additional elements of the shoulder strap tattoo?

When choosing additional elements for a tattoo, you should pay attention to their meaning in the prison world. Practitioners advise when choosing a sketch to focus not only on the magical meaning of the symbol, but also take into account the specifics of prison concepts

When choosing a sketch, practitioners advise focusing not only on the magical meaning of the symbol, but also taking into account the specifics of prison concepts.

The shoulder strap tattoo is closely associated with the criminal world and, unlike other images that have ceased to be perceived as “prisoner’s”, is still relevant among a certain contingent.

The table shows the main designs that complement the epaulette tattoo on the shoulders:

The magical meaning of epaulette tattoos

The drawing can cause aggression in its owner and even conflicts with law enforcement agencies.

Many practitioners do not recommend imprinting epaulettes with images, because long-term use in the prison world has left a negative energetic imprint.

Belief in the certain meaning of the shoulder strap tattoo has changed the meaning, and therefore such a sketch can make a person overly aggressive, provoke illegal actions and conflicts with law enforcement agencies.

Considering that only criminals who are in a maximum security prison and violate the rules receive such a tattoo, it is possible that they even end up in a criminal company. It is especially not recommended to have an epaulette on the left shoulder of people who are easily influenced.

The tattoo is equally suitable for both sexes, and there are no preferences for zodiac signs.

In addition to the negative prison meaning, the shoulder strap also means pronounced qualities of a born leader and great willpower. The owner of a tattoo becomes more ambitious, copes with complexes and fears, and even more quickly earns authority among his subordinates. An epaulette tattoo would be useful for people holding leadership positions or aspiring to them.

The sacred meaning of the star sign

The star sign has a certain mystical essence. This is one of the most ancient symbols of many cultures and religions. The meaning of the symbol for many centuries has been peace and the desire for perfection. It is also an eternal symbol of inexhaustible energy, good luck and deliverance from worldly vanity.

To make a similar pattern on your skin, you should understand what is on the shoulders, wrists, legs and other parts of the body. After all, such a tattoo has a powerful energy potential.

Recently, there is an increasingly common opinion that the stars on the shoulders resemble shoulder straps. No self-respecting criminal would agree to wear the badge of law enforcement officials. Therefore, even those who once stamped such a stamp on their shoulders today strive to cover it with other drawings.

Having examined the many interpretations of prison symbols, we can come to the conclusion that great diversity is inherent in such a prison attribute as a “star” tattoo on the shoulders. Its meaning is constantly changing, but most often such a symbol distinguishes a rebel person. He challenges the system and doesn't live by the rules. He will never give up his criminal worldview, so you need to be extremely careful with such people. Today, the popularity of this symbol is declining, since the stars on the shoulders resemble shoulder straps. In criminal circles, there is nothing more shameful than wearing the symbols of law enforcement officials.

Instructions

Draw a square. Try to draw its sides as evenly as possible. It is better to do this with finely honed hard grade T or even 2T. Auxiliary lines should be barely noticeable. It is most convenient to draw a square by placing a sheet of paper directly in front of you without any tilt, with the short side facing you.

Draw both diagonals and find their intersection point. Draw a vertical line through it. Its length should be equal to the length of the diagonal, and the intersection point divides this center line in half. Draw a horizontal line through the center of the construction exactly the same length as the vertical one. You have 8 rays of the same length.

Draw the rays. Start with a vertical line. Imagine that it passes through the middle of two rays. All you have to do is determine its widest part. To do this, step back equal distances to the right and left from the point of intersection of all lines. Connect them to the top and bottom ends of the center line. Draw all the other rays in the same way.

You can finish the drawing in different ways. For example, trace only the outline and remove the extra lines. It is better to outline the silhouette with a softer pencil. Paint the inside. You can make the rays multi-colored. In this case, leave some of the auxiliary lines. For example, the ones you used to draw the central vertical diamond. The remaining contour lines should end at the intersection with its sides. Fill the central ray with one color and the two adjacent ones with another. Color the remaining rays in the same way, alternating colors.

note

A 12-pointed star is drawn using the same principle. True, in this case, each quarter of the square is divided not in half, but into 3 parts.

Helpful advice

In order to cut out such a star from colored paper, you do not need to draw anything. Make 2 squares of the same size. You can take two sheets of the same color or different. Fold one square diagonally. Then bend it again, matching the existing fold lines. Place the resulting triangle in front of you with the free side down. Mark a point approximately halfway between the center and the free edge. Starting from the corner, cut the workpiece to this point, and then from there to the second corner. Do the same with the second square. Place one piece on top of the other and glue them in the middle. The second square may be slightly smaller. It needs to be glued on top.

Recently, tattoos have become a very popular decoration among young people. And not everyone thinks about the meanings and history of the appearance of certain body designs.

However, according to the rules of the criminal world, some tattoos are not allowed to be worn by people without a certain status. This statement applies primarily to the so-called “thieves' stars.”

Interpretation of meaning

Looking at the image of the eight-pointed figure, you can notice some features. There are several options for reading the symbolism:

• The outline shows two squares superimposed on each other at a certain degree. The Slavs associated such a figure with proportionality;
• In the symbol you can see two crosses (two four-pointed stars) intersecting in the center. The foundations of the universe have merged in one sign. Such a multi-pointed image is used in the symbolism of some states.

The ancient star sign has meaning in magic and everyday life.
In numerology, the octagon is directly related to the number 8, which symbolizes infinity. In religion, the meaning of an eight-pointed star is described as the absence of the beginning and end of the universe. Esotericism and astrology speak of constant movement in a circle. Many nations have a common tattoo with an eight-pointed star, as well as amulets with an octogram. In Orthodoxy, the Star of Bethlehem is known, which had eight corners. It symbolized the harmony of spirit and matter.

The eight-pointed star has had its influence on popular culture. The meaning of the symbol in the most famous traditions:

• Among the eastern peoples, the octagonal sign is the personification of the law of karma. A similar image can be found in oriental ornaments;
• In Islam, the octogram is called rub-al-hizb. Initially, this symbol was used to separate hizb in the holy book of the Koran, in order to facilitate the reading of the scripture. Sometimes the octagon is used as a calligraphic symbol to signify the end of a chapter;
• In the culture of Orthodoxy, the octogram is directly related to the Star of Bethlehem, which indicated the right path. It can be seen on icons; many holy faces are inscribed in the symbol of an octagonal star. Christianity also connects the symbol with the 7 days of creation and 1 day of the Last Judgment;
• The Slavs believed in the connection between the number 8 and the future life. For them, the octagon belonged to the goddess Lada, the guardian of family ties and the hearth. Then the sign began to be associated with the light of the sun and sky;
• From Ancient Greece came the concept of chaos - the basis of everything, which is also the end. Science fiction writer Michael Moorcock in his works described the octogram as a chaos star. It was then that she gained her popularity in magic. It is believed that this symbol gives the owner the ability to learn the secrets of other worlds and gives magical powers.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CTSz7YhlLy0

The meaning of prison tattoos

An innocent tattoo, applied for the sake of fashion, is interpreted in a completely unexpected way in prison. Incorrect symbolism can cost a short-sighted layman his health, or even his life.

Prison tattoos - stars on the shoulders, the meaning of which is far from criminal reality, people mistakenly regard as a sign of thieves in law. Such tattoos can be found on quite a large number of people. They are united by the ability to confirm their right to wear the described design.

The right to such a prison tattoo as stars on the shoulders, the meaning of which is so often found in various sources, belongs to people who have earned a certain authority. In addition to thieves in law, stars can also be worn by people who openly oppose the prison administration and the camp regime.

Who can get epaulets tattooed?

Since ancient times, people have decorated their bodies with various tattoos. Patterns on the body could tell a lot about a person: where he comes from, what he does, his social status, etc. In the 20th century, tattoos became the prerogative of prisoners. Using them, prisoners “read” the history of those new to the zone.

The fact is that epaulets are the most controversial tattoo in the world of thieves. Shoulder straps are worn by military and police officers - the main enemies of prisoners. But at the same time, only thieves, whose authority is not subject to the slightest doubt, can get such a tattoo.

The thieves' stars on their shoulder straps can tell you how many walks the prisoner had.

Also, such a tattoo can be made for those who served time in a maximum security colony. Ordinary prisoners are prohibited from getting tattoos of shoulder straps - this can lead to forced correction of the design with homemade machines or even cutting off a piece of skin with the image applied.

Putting an image of shoulder straps on your body is a big responsibility, for which you will have to answer harshly, according to prison laws.

This type of tattoo is rare among juvenile criminals - they lack experience and authority. An exception is made only for those who spent more than 50 days in a punishment cell: in this case, the right to shoulder straps appears.

Ornament on the lower abdomen

Finally, I would like to mention the ornament located at the bottom of Alexander’s stomach. From the photograph you can see that today these fancy horns, but in fact, cover an older tattoo.

Tattoos have been known to mankind for thousands of years. During this time, this type of art has undergone many changes in techniques and styles of applying patterns to the skin. This is a specific code that serves as a hidden “friend/foe” sign for various groups of people. One of these symbols is the “star” tattoo on the shoulders. The meaning of such a drawing is widely known among people who are serving sentences in prison or have been released from there. Let’s take a closer look at what the interpretation of the symbol in question is.

Tattoo sketches and the best places to apply them on the body

In fact, it is the size of the tattoo that determines the most beneficial placement for it. For example, large symbols can be placed on wider areas - on the chest, stomach or legs, while small symbols can be placed on a finger, on the wrist or behind the ear. They can also be combined with various items such as dream catcher, feathers, anchors, angels, wings, etc.

The popularity of these tattoos has not escaped Hollywood celebrities either. Megan Fox, Britney Spears, George Clooney, Bruce Willis, Drew Barrymore, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham, Anna Kournikova, Eva Longoria and many other famous personalities decided to apply celestial bodies on their bodies.

Application method

Previously, tattoos were done in prisons using a needle and a substance containing soot. The pigment was obtained from burnt boot soles. Understanding what the stars on the shoulders of convicts mean, it should be noted that the technology of application, as well as the meaning of the design itself, has changed over time.

Later they began to use ink from ballpoint pens as paint. For the image itself, a special stamp was used. The needles were stuck into a thick piece of rubber so that they protruded 1-2 mm. They were dipped in paint and pressed into the skin in one motion, leaving a certain pattern.

Subsequently, special electric razor machines began to be used. Instead of a needle, they used guitar strings.

Timati disgraced himself with his AUE suit: Show Business: VladTime

Star rapper Timati disgraced the whole country by wearing a denim jacket with “thieves’” tattoos. The hip-hop performer does not even suspect what “insignia” he has “attached” to himself.

After all, the star doesn’t even know what stars he “stuffed” on his jacket. There are quite a lot of different tattoos on the denim jacket, but the drawings on the shoulders of the Black Star rapper raised the most questions.

Many commentators thought that Timati had completely gone crazy because he put on the insignia of a caste to which he does not belong, and besides, he tried to show himself as a “thieve,” but in fact he only made millions of Internet users laugh.

This is not the first time that the “star with the stars” praises thieves’ concepts and shows his partial attitude towards everything “thieves” - the rapper has already read in his track that “the zone loves Timati.”

“They can pull him up for a tight jacket,” “Timati the clown disgraced himself with his AUE costume,” “The songs are moronic, and so is the style,” “explain for the stars, rappers!” — Internet users expressed their opinion.

Sergey Skeptic

Tattoo as a business card

A tattoo or tattoo can tell a lot about a person. Experienced sitters are well versed in the intricacies of the blue lines that decorate the body. And often an innocent, beautiful picture, which someone far from the criminal world pinned up for the sake of fashion or out of bravado, turns out to be filled with negative and even shameful content in the eyes of experienced prisoners. Such things are no joke in the zone, because the owner of a fashionable “tattoo” can pay for his shortsightedness with health or even life - depending on its content and on the mood of the prison population.

Law enforcement began studying tattoos about 80-90 years ago

Before this, tattoos were considered exclusively “special marks” and their maintenance was not taken into account by prison workers. A lot has changed over the past decades

Some “blatnaya” tattoos have ceased to be applied because the “language of the design,” like “blatnaya fenya” (criminal jargon), has changed over the years to make it difficult for outsiders to study. Other tattoos have gone out of fashion because the social conditions that gave rise to them have disappeared - for example, the images on the chests of Lenin and Stalin that were popular in the past (supposedly the convoy will not shoot at the leaders) are now almost never seen.

Application method

Previously, tattoos were done in prisons using a needle and a substance containing soot. The pigment was obtained from burnt boot soles. Understanding what the stars on the shoulders of convicts mean, it should be noted that the technology of application, as well as the meaning of the design itself, has changed over time.

Later they began to use ink from ballpoint pens as paint. For the image itself, a special stamp was used. The needles were stuck into a thick piece of rubber so that they protruded 1-2 mm. They were dipped in paint and pressed into the skin in one motion, leaving a certain pattern.

Subsequently, special electric razor machines began to be used. Instead of a needle, they used guitar strings.

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Prison tattoos - meaning. We decipher the photographs.

The “Epaulette” tattoo is a badge of honor for serious matters.

Tattoo "Mother of God" - the prisoner embarked on the path of thieves at a young age. Sometimes it means a talisman against some kind of misfortune, misfortune, or failure.

“Subclavian stars” on the shoulders have 2 meanings:

1. Denied. A prisoner who denies prison rules.

2. Thief in law.

The CAT is a symbol of good luck and indicates the owner’s caution. Abbreviation K O T - Indigenous Prison Inhabitant

Abbreviation K O T - Indigenous Prison Inhabitant.

A CAT WITH A BUTTERFLY is also a symbol of pickpockets. Previously, guilty pickpockets were forcibly added to the image of a cat’s head with a bow-butterfly, which meant “knitted”, that is, an activist who had sold out to the “cops” and had put on a bandage. Today, cats with a bow are pricked by everyone who wants to, and the shameful significance of the butterfly is forgotten.

“Beetle” - this tattoo is a symbol of a pickpocket. The meaning of the abbreviation ZH U K - I wish you successful thefts.

It is often applied to the hand, but can also be applied to other parts of the body.

“Church” - from this tattoo you can find out the number of years spent in prison. The number of domes means how many walks the prisoner made or how many years he served in prison. It should be added that not everyone is allowed to get this tattoo.

The prison tattoo “Tiger” is embittered towards the authorities, the state, the police, and also signifies the cruelty and rage of its owner. The owner's recklessness is guaranteed.

#Sailboat - in prison jargon means “tourist”, i.e. A THIEF who only works in another city. Not where he lives.

“Spider in the Web” is a prison symbol for a thief. You need to know that if a spider crawls up, it means “I have been stealing and will steal.” If down, then “Stole and quit.” Often means a symbol of a drug addict. It is also used in civilian life.

“Rising Sun” is an interesting tattoo that means freedom. Those. a memorial sign for the owner about his specialness.

“CAT WITH KEYS” is a professional burglar.

Thief Star | CRIMINAL AUTHORITIES THIEVES IN LAW |

Thief in law Jap

If a prisoner has a tattoo in the shape of a star on his body, it often arouses the interest of those around him; it’s not just that he tattooed it. What does a prisoner's star mean? Similar questions come to those who want to get a tattoo without being in prison, that is, while free.

What can be printed on the human body, in places not so remote, can look very scary, arouse great interest and a lot of questions. Naturally, no one will put anyone down for this, but the bearer of an undeserved tattoo will have to receive a defiant rattle, feel mockery and jokes in his direction.

In addition, you will have to rip it off or burn it. So, before getting any tattoo, it is better to first know its meaning.

The thief's star is the main attribute of thieves in law. This is the sign that distinguishes a thief from the rest of the criminal society. Under no circumstances should such a tattoo be applied to the body in freedom, since one day they will definitely ask for it, and they will have to answer according to thieves’ standards.

The meaning of thieves' stars

Many people believe, and not without reason, that wearing prison tattoos on your body and at the same time remaining unnoticed in the criminal world is sheer stupidity. This is both unreasonable and dangerous. If a person goes to jail once, he will remain under the supervision of law enforcement agencies for many years, who have an entire database on the person, including photographs of all his tattoos.

Thief in law Nodar Aloyan - Nodar Tbilissky

The worst thing that can happen to a person behind bars is that he will have to tell where he got each of his tattoos, and he will be very unlucky if he ends up in a “goat camp”, where problems will come to him, since there will be “Garbage chaos” all around " Both law enforcement officers and prisoners know what the star tattoo means.

Thief in law Gursel Saifulov - Guram Tashkentsky

The star is a symbol of a real thieves' conviction. This is a way of life that implies an existence filled with trials and a person always ready for death.

Thief in law Gocha Maisuradze - Gogita

If a person has stars on his shoulders or on his chest, then this person is “sowing” humanity and promoting thieves in places of detention. Over time, he has a chance to turn into a thief in law. He, just like in prison, must lead the same way while being free.

Thief in law Irakli Dzhabua - Ika Rostov

If a person has stars on their knees (a fairly common tattoo of stars on their knees

History of criminal tattoos

In forensic science, very little attention has been paid to the study of criminal tattoos. During the Soviet years, a system was introduced to register marks on the bodies of criminals, designed to identify them. Tattoos such as stars on the shoulders, due to their meaning, were supposed to instill fear in ordinary people. Although their presence often became the reason for arrest.

But even the fear of going to prison did not stop people with a criminal past from deciding to get a tattoo, for example, stars on their shoulders. Tattoos, the meaning of which was very well known in the prison world, were justified, because despite all the risks, such iconic marks gave special privileges.

Lombroso was the first to speak about the essence of tattoos as signs of personality degradation. This erroneous opinion, upon more serious study, showed that the meaning of the stars on the shoulders and other designs are imitative. Such drawings were naive and quite simple.

Why is the knee rarely chosen for tattooing?

Getting a tattoo on the knee is not a good idea. The pain in this place is felt more strongly due to the fact that the kneecap is located close to the skin and there is no fat layer. The rough skin of the knee moves all the time. It holds pigment worse, so when choosing a sketch it is better to avoid images with small details. A round or oval pattern in the style, for example, Dotwork or Old School, would look good in this place.

We recommend reading: Tattoo with a sprig of lavender: meaning, design options

Methods of tattooing

Initially, tattoos in places of deprivation of liberty were applied with a needle dipped in a composition containing soot (to do this, the soles of boots were burned). Then the technology began to improve. Ink was used as paint - both from fountain pens and ballpoint pens, and the so-called stamp began to be used for drawing. It is made as follows: needles are stuck into a piece of thick rubber so that the points protrude by 1-2 millimeters. Then the needles are dipped into ink and with one sharp blow (stamping) the design is applied to the skin.

Then tattoo machines appeared, which were made from electric razors, and guitar strings were used as needles. Even later, professional equipment and special paints designed specifically for this purpose began to be used. Typically, the image is first drawn on the skin with a pen or chemical pencil, and then the “carrier” (as tattoo artists are called in the zone) perpetuates it using needles and paint. The most experienced specialists make tattoos “completely”, that is, without applying a preliminary design. This requires not only artistic flair, but also an eye and a steady hand, because you can’t erase a wrong stroke.

The meaning of tattoos on the zone

Any criminal tattoos must be earned. Whether it's an elite tattoo or a shameful one, it's often done for either an achievement inside prison or for shameful offenses. The latter, by the way, are often impaled by force, as a sign of shame for life, and the procedure itself is quite humiliating. A particularly sadistic method of such “justice” is to get a tattoo in a visible place, for example, on the neck or 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 expressing 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 deep symbolism and a mysterious essence.

Thief tattoo in the form of armor on the shoulder

The meaning of the Star of Bethlehem in Russia

In Russian Orthodoxy, the five-pointed star was identified with Freemasons and Jews, although later it was a sign of state power.

In the 15th century, the five rays were replaced by a star with six ends, each of them indicating the direction of the world, although every student knows that in nature there are only four.

Some time passed, and in Russia they began to make the seven-pointed Bethlehem sign; the inhabitants of Ancient Rus' have long worshiped a figure with eight rays, depicting the symbol of their supreme idol. This sign was used to decorate military banners, clothing, and household items.

On a note! Today, the eight-pointed star is a symbol of Russia, which can be seen on the holy images of the Mother of God, who is the patroness of the Russian region.

The holy image of the “Burning Bush” is framed by an octogram, squares superimposed on each other and rotated 45 degrees relative to each other.

"Burning Bush" icon of the Mother of God

The Orthodox Church accepts the eight-pointed star as a sign of the mystery of the Mother of God, who gave birth to the Savior, who is the guarantor of eternal life for those who believe in him. (John 14:6).

The eight-pointed figure with rays, present on the forehead or shoulder of the Mother of God in Her icons, symbolizes the promise of eternity. Three eight-pointed figures with rays can be seen on the icon of the Mother of God “The Sign”; they symbolize Her eternal Virginity.

Paradise, Heavenly Jerusalem is contained in this symbol, for the number eight in a position rotated 90 degrees means the infinity of our path, the love of God and the existence of the world.

Star configuration

A star can have a different number of rays. Usually their number is from six to ten. Tattoos in the form of stars on the shoulders most often have eight rays.

Something else may be depicted in the center of the picture, such as a skull, lightning, other stars or signs. Each drawing has a special meaning. For example, if a skull is depicted on the shoulders, this means “I will be corrected by shooting,” and there are also decodings like “born to suffer” or “come what may.”

If there is an image of lightning inside the star, this is deciphered as “crush cops.” This is a warning that such a person is quite aggressive towards the prison system and is not afraid to show it. The swastika in the center of the design represents the statement “beat the communists.”

Star configuration

A star can have a different number of rays. Usually their number is from six to ten. Tattoos in the form of stars on the shoulders most often have eight rays.

Something else may be depicted in the center of the picture, such as a skull, lightning, other stars or signs. Each drawing has a special meaning. For example, if a skull is depicted on the shoulders, this means “I will be corrected by shooting,” and there are also decodings like “born to suffer” or “come what may.”

If there is an image of lightning inside the star, this is deciphered as “crush cops.” This is a warning that such a person is quite aggressive towards the prison system and is not afraid to show it. The swastika in the center of the design represents the statement “beat the communists.”

Tattoo as a business card

A tattoo or tattoo can tell a lot about a person. Experienced sitters are well versed in the intricacies of the blue lines that decorate the body. And often an innocent, beautiful picture, which someone far from the criminal world pinned up for the sake of fashion or out of bravado, turns out to be filled with negative and even shameful content in the eyes of experienced prisoners. Such things are no joke in the zone, because the owner of a fashionable “tattoo” can pay for his shortsightedness with health or even life - depending on its content and on the mood of the prison population.

Law enforcement began studying tattoos about 80-90 years ago

Before this, tattoos were considered exclusively “special marks” and their maintenance was not taken into account by prison workers. A lot has changed over the past decades

Some “blatnaya” tattoos have ceased to be applied because the “language of the design,” like “blatnaya fenya” (criminal jargon), has changed over the years to make it difficult for outsiders to study. Other tattoos have gone out of fashion because the social conditions that gave rise to them have disappeared - for example, the images on the chests of Lenin and Stalin that were popular in the past (supposedly the convoy will not shoot at the leaders) are now almost never seen.

History of criminal tattoos

In forensic science, very little attention has been paid to the study of criminal tattoos. During the Soviet years, a system was introduced to register marks on the bodies of criminals, designed to identify them. Tattoos such as stars on the shoulders, due to their meaning, were supposed to instill fear in ordinary people. Although their presence often became the reason for arrest.

But even the fear of going to prison did not stop people with a criminal past from deciding to get a tattoo, for example, stars on their shoulders. Tattoos, the meaning of which was very well known in the prison world, were justified, because despite all the risks, such iconic marks gave special privileges.

Lombroso was the first to speak about the essence of tattoos as signs of personality degradation. This erroneous opinion, upon more serious study, showed that the meaning of the stars on the shoulders and other designs are imitative. Such drawings were naive and quite simple.