According to Bronnikov, cat heads tattooed on both sides of the chest show that the wearer is cunning and will cheat and gain the victim’s trust easily, while the abbreviation ‘KOT’ (‘cat’ in Russian) stands for ‘native prison resident’. On the leg, a sailboat with a white body, shaded sails and flags on the masts is a sign for a 'gulnogo' - a person who fled from custody to engage in criminal activity, and a ‘nomadic traveller’ (a migrant offender who travels to different cities to commit theft). “The Madonna and child is one of the most popular tattoos worn by criminals, and there can be a number of meanings,” says Bronnikov. “It can symbolise loyalty to a criminal clan; it can mean that the wearer believes the Mother of God will ward off evil; as well as meaning that the wearer has been in the jail system and behind bars from an early age.” (Photo: Arkady Bronnikov/FUEL Russian Criminal Tattoo Archive)