bloomed in a russian prison

[images above via webПарк.ру]

'The drawing above shows the spelling of a man’s name, Vasia, in Cyrillic characters. The symbols on each finger have specific coded meanings: “In life, only count on yourself,” is the meaning of the symbol on the first finger, and the three skulls on the third finger symbolize murders committed by the criminal.

A cross can indicate bondage, subordination, or slavery. Some tattoos are given involuntarily, as warnings or punishment for transgressions-sex offenders, for example, are frequently branded with a dagger running across their shoulder blades and through their necks.

[more at foreign prisoners.com, a campaign for prisoners' rights >> ]