Slavic tattoo symbolism and meaning. Slavic motifs in a modern tattoo

Documents that have survived to this day testify and indicate that the ancient Slavic peoples had unlimited knowledge about the structure of the world. The Slavs subtly felt and knew how to manage natural energy flows for their own purposes.

One of the ways to influence a person's life, to change and strengthen the connection with energy flows, was a variety of tattoos. In the photo you can see all the diversity of the ancient culture of underwear.

Before the adoption of the Christian faith, the Slavic tribes were pagans, and tattoos were used as amulets that could protect against troubles, establish contact with deities and natural forces.

Inflicted on various parts of the body, tattoo amulets became a place of energy connection, which was distorted in a certain way, depending on the meaning and purpose of the tattoo.

Slavic ancestors attached great importance to the image applied to the body. Careful choice of sign and strict observance of the ritual procedure were an important part of the rite.

Only the magi were trusted to carry out the process. Many years of training and knowledge of the energy of each of the amulets allowed the Magi to choose the right symbol in accordance with the personal energy structure and sacred status.

The rite was always unhurried, accompanied by a state of trance of the priests and was always performed in front of the idols of the pagan Gods and Ancestors.

Slavic ancient traditions indicate a categorical ban on tattooing a person under the age of 33. It was this milestone that the pagans defined as the moment of the complete formation of all 9 human bodies. After 33 years, the appearance of a tattoo will no longer be able to interfere with the development of any of the bodies, but will work to equalize the energy background and protect.

The meaning of the tattoo

Our ancestors honored the subtle world and knew that the image on the body can both display the inside of a person and affect his life.

Tattoo depicting sacred animals and plants

Slavic pagans deified and infinitely revered nature, treated the natural elements with trepidation.

Charms in the form of a pagan deity depicted on the skin

The right choice of tattoo served as a powerful armor against third-party negativity. The images of ancient deities also carried protective energy and had a beneficial effect on the soul and body of the owner.

The main pagan gods are distinguished, who were worshiped and made wearable drawings with their image:

In order to be continuously protected, the Slavs used images of other divine patrons applied to the skin as amulets:

• Mother Lada;
• Kupala;
• Yarila;
• Chernobog;
• Stribog;
• Zorya;
• Makosh;
• Semargl and others.

Slavic runes

Runic symbols for ancient ancestors carried certain information and meaning. Each rune had its own purpose, which was especially taken into account when choosing. Charm runes could be applied separately or in combination with other images to enhance the overall positive effect.

Some runes have already been mentioned above and were symbols of a particular pagan deity.

The main among the ancient Slavs are 18 runes - these are the basic signs, the most powerful and possessing magical powers and hidden meanings. They were applied to any surface, embroidered, carved, painted and applied to the skin.

Used in everyday life, magical rituals and as a tattoo:

The photo shows the symbols of the runes.

Slavic ornaments as amulets

The pattern is a mixture of rhombuses, dots, spirals, crosses. Such tattoos were a symbol of fertility. For women, the pattern was supplemented with leaves, twigs and flowers.

Ornaments indicated the strength and power of their owner and were endowed with protective energy. Such patterns could be part of a complex composition of runes and ornaments.

Photos with sketches of intricate tattoos can be viewed on the website page.

Old Slavic swastika

Today, for many, it will be a discovery that the symbol of the swastika, which has become for generations the personification of Hitlerism, was a source of goodness and light among the Slavic family in antiquity.

The ends of the cross bent clockwise are a clear indicator of the natural course of life and death in nature. Infinity and cyclicality are the main semantic load of the swastika.

The sign had at least three bends, could be depicted in various variations and perform a protective, protective and helping function.

The negativity and fear that today's people feel towards these images make it necessary to introduce restrictive measures for their application and are regarded as extremism.

Tattoo amulets today

Now Slavic tattoos are very popular. Many come to the decision to apply an ancient symbol, having carefully studied the sacred meaning and power of the chosen sign. For some, such a pattern becomes a fashionable aesthetic decoration of the body.

With the acquisition of Christianity, pagan symbols began to be eradicated; their application to the body by the church is not welcome.

Hidden power and a powerful energy charge are carried by the ancient tattoos of our forefathers. The right symbol will help save the soul from dark forces, protect, bring good luck and love. Having pinned an inappropriate drawing, you can change the course of life for the worse.

Our ancestors chose their amulets very seriously, believed in them with all their heart and felt its effect on themselves.

Having decided on a Slavic tattoo, it is worth paying attention that the pagans shared tattoos for men and women. The appearance of a symbol on the skin obligated the owner to live according to his conscience, honor the laws of nature and the gods - only true faith will help to fully reveal the potential of the ancient sign.

An experienced master with the necessary knowledge will indicate which runes and symbols should never be combined, and which combination, on the contrary, will strengthen the amulets.

The photo shows sketches of numerous Slavic tattoos.

Slavic tattoos are becoming more and more popular today, as going back to the roots and exploring your roots is an important part of the modern world. The Slavic theme gives a huge layer of plots for a variety of tattoos, ranging from symbols to complex ornaments.

People who honor traditions and know their past acquire important knowledge and experience that helps them in life. In our review you will find the interpretation and sketches of the most interesting Slavic tattoos.

Slavic God Tattoos

Slavs had great pantheon of gods, which was close to Scandinavian. The cultures of the Slavs constantly intertwined and influenced each other, while maintaining their uniqueness.

• Perun- the supreme god, the thunderer, the lord of warriors, the prince and his squad.
• Mother Earth- an image of nature, mother, nurse. The ancient peoples revered the land, respected it and treated it with reverence.
• Dazhbog- the god of the sun, light, change of seasons, fertility.
• Veles- Lord of the economy, wealth, prosperity. Veles was the second most revered after Perun.
• Svarog- the blacksmith god, the lord of fire.

Slavic Tattoo Charms for Men and Women

In the old days peoples were very dependent on surrounding circumstances, so they there was an urgent need to protect yourself and your home with the help of amulets. In each ornament and pattern, a special meaning was laid, which carried a certain protective function.

For example, embroidery on a shirt saved the enemy from arrows, and embroidery on towels and tablecloths brought wealth to the house and warded off evil guests. Dolls with symbols the Slavs guarded the sleep of children, and amulets runes protected livestock and farms from fires and diseases.

• Red color is a symbol of life and love.
• Blue colour- the color of men, strength, protection from the elements.
• Black color- earth, fertility.
• Green color- a symbol of nature, protection from wounds, healing.

Slavic Rune Tattoos

A separate group of Slavic amulets - runes. Each sign carries powerful protection and help to its owner.

Slavic Inspired Tattoos

Sometimes Slavic tattoos use ornaments and scenes with portraits which symbolize: old times, man's love for history and his roots.

For many people, tattoos dedicated to a historical theme help to find answers to life's questions, build relationships in the family and study antiquity.

Slavic Tattoos – Tattoo Kolovrat

Kolovrat is one of the most basic symbols Slavic tradition. This is a symbol of the wheel of the year, the sun, the change of winter and summer, the eternal cycle of life. In modern culture, the Kolovrat can have different interpretations: someone uses this ancient symbol in their own interests, but historically the Kolovrat does not carry a negative connotation.

Slavic Tattoo Designs for Men and Women

Slavic tattoos cannot be strictly divided into female and male. The same Slavic tattoo can be done by both a man and a woman.

Charms for family, wealth, health and so on, also, do not have a gender identity. In ornaments The traditional male color is blue, and the color of women is red.

Based on the well-known inclination of the Slavs to remain captive to mythological worldviews, it can be hypothetically argued that the history of the origin of the custom of tattooing among the ancestors of the Russians goes back to the distant past.

Literary sources and the surviving customs of the Russians proved that one of the main characters of epics, legends and other forms of culture of ancient Slavic folk art was a dragon. Our ancestors often depicted him harnessed to a plow, which the Russian hero plowed, he was molded from clay, carved from wood, decorating platbands and handles of ladles. According to ancient beliefs, one of the purposes of the dragon is to scare away evil spirits.

The Eastern Slavs preserved stories about how Perun, pursuing a snake (dragon), pierced him in one case with a spear, in another with lightning. Such a plot could be found both in wooden art and in bone carving (in Novgorod). Let us recall the image of the current coat of arms of Moscow returned from the past heritage - George the Victorious, piercing a dragon-serpent with a spear.

Not only the dragon occupied the consciousness, thoughts and minds of the Slavs, but also the lion. It is no coincidence that we find the image of this animal, exotic for Russia, in the plots of popular fairy tales, clothing decorations, and even on household items.

In folk tales, drowned girls became mermaids, who could tickle a late bather to death or drag a lonely night traveler into the water - a guest who found himself on the shore of a reservoir. The dead, not buried according to the rite, became a vampire. This was another of the common characters in folk tales and epics of the ancient Slavs. Therefore, they put on all sorts of amulets (amulets) that could protect them from evil spirits - ghouls, sorcerers, werewolves. The charms of the ancient Slavs were different, but most often they were a figurine of an animal (mythical or real), a bird, to which all kinds of bells were attached, which drove away evil spirits with their sound.

The pagan Slavs deeply believed in spirits, sorcerers, brownies, wood goblins, bathhouses, and similar fantastic creatures that, according to their ideas, lived in their neighborhood. Some they loved, others they feared. And all this, of course, was and continues to be reflected in their work.

Object-shaped symbols of real and unreal creatures, animals and birds, which the ancient Slavs used in their folklore, fine art and decorative art, have become the favorite characters (heroes) of the plot and compositional solutions of skin painting among modern Russians. These are dragons, lions, mermaids and vampires, goblin, Baba Yaga and similar creatures.

There is a message from the Arab diplomat Ibn Fadlan, dated 921-922, that during his journey from Baghdad to the country of the Rus, who settled along the Volga River, he observed a tattoo from the fingernails to the neck of the locals - images of trees, figures animals and other signs and symbols. The listed set of tattoos was not accidental: the tree symbolized not only space, but also time. This is evidenced by the riddle that has come down to our time: "There is an oak, there are 12 branches on the oak, 4 nests on each branch, 7 chicks in the nest" - about a year, 12 months, 4 weeks, 7 days. The image of a tree was also present in conspiracies. According to the beliefs of the Slavs, the Mother of God, Paraskeva and other saints live on sacred trees (oak, apple, birch, sycamore, etc.). The tree in wedding ceremonies embodied the fertility of wildlife, the tree of life. The image of various animals served as amulets and amulets protecting the Slavs from evil spirits and sorcerers. This motive was typical of peoples with a mythological worldview. I.G. Ostroumov believes that in the past, the tamga among the Voguls (Mansi) primarily served as a talisman. According to I.N. Gemueva and A.A. Lucidarskaya, tattooed symbols - "Banners" on the hands of the Mansi (Voguls) also initially played the role of amulets, they were a sign of human existence on earth.

With the spread of Christianity, the custom of tattooing began to be ruthlessly eradicated, for it was considered by the church as an integral part of pagan rites. We find such an explanation in the Gospel of Mark, where it is said: "For the sake of the dead, do not make cuts on your body and do not prick writing on yourself." But it cannot be argued that religion, while prohibiting tattooing as a pagan rite, completely denied it. In the "Revelation" of St. John, in chapter 19, it is said this about the new coming of God: "On His garment and on His thigh is written the name: King of kings and Lord of lords." Perhaps the prohibition of tattooing was caused by the desire of Christian priests to protect the people from all kinds of false prophets, each of whom already then spoke about the end of the world and called himself the new Messiah.

At the same time, when the tattoo contributed to the promotion of a religious cult, a specific religion, the church welcomed it in every possible way. For example, in Bosnia, among the Catholic peasant population, it was rare to find a woman or a girl without a tattoo depicting a cross on her forehead, on her chest and on the upper part of her forearm. In this way, the defenders of the Catholic faith prevented the conversion of Catholics to another faith, in particular to Islam.

Fanatics of a particular faith often used a tattoo to put on their bodies signs of belonging to a particular religion as symbols of faith and its propaganda among the population. At the same time, in addition to symbols of faith, they undoubtedly depicted love, family and other plots that testify to the character of their owner.

It is impossible to deny the fact of tattooing among early Christians. It can be assumed that the first Christians applied the initials associated with the name of Christ (X or I.N. - Jesus of Nazareth), the image of a lamb, a cross or a fish. This fact is confirmed by Procopius from Gaza, who wrote that many of the first Christians wanted to imprint on their palms the sign of the cross, the name of Christ, the XP monogram or the "+" sign on the forehead, which was presented to its owner by the cross. This custom was later adopted by the crusaders, who replaced the Greek cross with a Latin one. The portraits of crusader knights, made in enamel technique in 1150 by the famous Flemish gilder Godefroyde de Claire, have a symbol of the Christian faith in the form of a cross on their foreheads. The mentioned miniatures by Godefroyde de Claire adorn the crucifix in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Saint-Omer (France).

Various nations have long practiced the custom of tattooing and applying various dyes on the face with the aim of perpetuating the pilgrimage to holy places. For example, from the fifteenth century there are reports of pilgrims about the perfect wanderings to Jerusalem. In particular, the German A. Bappenheim testifies that during his visit to Jaffa in 1563, he immortalized the sign of the cross on his hip. Another pilgrim, Slisanki, wrote in 1662 that he ordered in Bethlehem to gouge out on his shoulder the image of the holy tomb and the sign of the five holy crosses, as well as Mount Kavaria and Zion. He did this also because there was a belief: if the Turks captured the ship during a trip by sea, then, having seen the tattoo of the pilgrims, they would let it go. This custom lasted until the end of the 19th century, which is confirmed by the biographers' reference to George V (1865-1936), King of England, who, while still in his capacity as heir to the throne, visited Jerusalem in 1881, made a commemorative tattoo on his shoulder in the form of a star of Bethlehem . This custom has been preserved among the fanatics of the faith to the present day.

The origin of the tattoo, in particular on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dates back to the pre-Christian period. Arguing this point of view, the Polish ethnographer C. Truehelka refers to ancient historians and writers such as Herodotus, Strabo, Pliny, Pomponius Melu, who described in their writings the custom of tattooing in the Balkans and neighboring territories. C. Truehelka stated: "Apparently, this custom came from the east and was brought to the Balkans by the Scythians from the Traks who inhabited the Balkan Peninsula at that time, this custom was adopted by the Ilirs, thanks to whose mediation it spread all the way to the Adriatic coast, which is confirmed by Strabo" . Researcher A. Haberland wrote in 1886: "Today's custom of Bosnia and Herzegovina may be the last echo of an unusually old practice, confirmed by the ancients." At the same time, it seems to us that the cited scientists overestimate the role of the Scythians, who share almost a thousand years of history with the Slavs. The Scythians could not have a direct influence on the formation of the art of tattooing among the Slavs. In our opinion, the possible error has its roots in the biographies of Herodotus and other ancient scholars. For example, the Greek author Prisk tells about the "Scythians" who lived in the Northern Black Sea region and on the Danube in the 5th century. AD, who treated the ambassadors with honey and millet bread. It should be noted that the Scythians were defeated by the Goths as early as the 3rd century BC. BC, and honey and millet bread are a traditional dish among the Slavs, so Priscus most likely met not with the Scythians, who by that time did not exist, but with the Slavs. The same inaccuracy was made by Herodotus, who considered the Slavs to be the descendants of the Scythians.

However, let us return to the modern descendants of the ancient Slavs. In the Russian hinterland, in the most remote rural areas of our homeland, to this day you can meet old people with a tattoo in the form of "checkers" - a chessboard, which they call "Morning". In their opinion, it means that the bright moments of life alternate with the dark ones. And sometimes the drawing is bizarre, and it is difficult to say what exactly its carriers wanted to depict. This is a kind of interweaving of geometric ornament, plants and animals. When asked what it means, we often get the answer: “I don’t know, my great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather wore such a pattern, in our family all men were tattooed with such a pattern.” And we can only guess what our ancestors wanted to express with this image, maybe it was an amulet or a sign of belonging to a certain community, which helped the ancestors find their dead soldiers on the battlefield.

There is no reason to doubt that the Slavs have used tattoos since ancient times for various ritual, religious, social, religious, ideological and personal purposes.

The Slavic population also actively used the tattoo as a method of resisting initiation to a faith alien to them.

In recent years, one can notice the revival of Slavic culture. Many young people began to study the history of ancient states and become interested in how our ancestors lived. Symbolism was of great importance in those days. The pagan religion before the advent of Christianity was distinguished by the variety of various signs, runes, ornaments and amulets. They also decorated their bodies.

FROM Lavyanka tattoos were made by those people who were especially reverent in faith and loved nature. Such images were characteristic of both men and women. Currently, such drawings are becoming more popular and find more and more admirers.

Slavic tattoos in antiquity and in modern times

Until now, there is no exact data on whether our ancestors applied wearable paintings, because during excavations not a single ancient burial was found intact. But studies prove that Slavic tattoos existed.

The writings of an Arab traveler of the 10th century named Ibn Fadlan have survived, who reports that he noticed in some representatives of the peoples who settled along the Volga, drawings that occupy areas of the skin from the hands to the neck. The traveler also came across various ornaments, images of animals and birds.

The culture and faith of the Slavs were built on the forces of four elements, each of which had its own meaning and its own symbols: air, water, earth and fire. Man could not control these elements and subordinate them to himself. This caused a certain amount of fear and apprehension. Since it could not be tamed, people believed that it was necessary to bring gifts, pray and bow. Then the gods of the elements will be favorable to them. That is why houses were decorated with these symbols, applied to armor and weapons. Perhaps such symbols were pricked on the body.

The Slavs treated nature with special trepidation. Tree worship was practiced. Therefore, now on the bodies of modern people you can find tattoos in the form of trees. With the advent of Christianity, paganism was recognized as a demonic religion, and symbols, cults and rituals were completely banned. Tattoos in the Slavic style began to be forgotten. A lot of time has passed, and now they have begun to gain popularity again, thanks to their beauty, attractiveness and deep symbolism.

Modern sketches of Slavic tattoos have a number of features:

• One image can simultaneously combine Celtic, Slavic and Scythian motifs. A purely Slavic pattern is distinguished by the combination of rhombuses, crosses, spirals, dots and commas. Recently, plant and flower motifs have been included in the drawings;
• The compositions are complemented by elements of book ornaments, which are created by combining native Russian and Christian traditions;
• The basis of the picture is the plots and motifs of Russian folklore;

• The drawing is complemented by various artistic components: elements of painting under Palekh, Gzhel, Khokhloma, as well as parts of plots from the paintings of such artists as Vasiliev or Vasnetsov;
• Runes, amulets and images of ancient Slavic deities are among the most popular sketches. Let's consider them in more detail.

Runic symbolism

In the photo you can see that runes are quite often chosen as a tattoo by both guys and girls. These signs, similar to hieroglyphs, were elements of the Slavic writing of the schismatics and carried the deepest historical meaning. Each rune has its own interpretation and has a mysterious unique image. Whole inscriptions are created from them, or they are used as an addition to large compositions.

Before applying a certain rune to the body, you need to accurately determine its meaning. According to legend, each such symbol has a certain magical load, which can affect the future path of life.

The most popular runes and their interpretation:

• World. The patronage of God, the desire for order;
• Rainbow. The road leading to the center of the universe. This symbol brings good luck in travel and helps to find a way out of difficult situations;
• Strength. Symbolizes courage, victory, integrity and power. Previously, it was applied by warriors;
• Wind. The personification of air, giving inspiration and creative power;
• There is. A symbol of the fact that life does not stand still;
• Perun. Power, vitality, strength;
• Bereginya. One of the runes for girls, personifying the feminine and fertility;
• Lelya. A female symbol denoting joy, flowering and intuition.

This is far from a complete list. Everyone will be able to pick up a rune that will be associated with character and inner qualities. The choice must be approached very responsibly.

Another integral attribute of ancient Slavic culture. Various swastikas were used at that time as amulets. This ornament has a different shape and angularity.

It is based on a cross with clockwise curved edges, which symbolize the eternal movement of life: from day to night, from birth to death. It is often compared with the symbols of the Nazis, but these are completely different things. Now such “tattoo Slavic amulets” are very popular. Here is a description of some of them:

• Valkyrie. Protection of native lands, honor and nobility;
• Bogovnik. Self-improvement and protection of the gods;
• Wedding attendant. Family unity;
• Overcome the grass. Protection from bodily and spiritual ailments;

• Dunia. Family protection;
• Ratiborets. Courage and bravery;
• Slavets. Charm for girls, protection of family and offspring.

images of the gods

The pagan faith assumed a large list of deities that the Old Believers worshiped before the advent of Christianity. Now tattoos with the faces of the gods are stylized as images of strong courageous men, similar to typical Varangians. Such pictures are perfect for guys with a dense physique.

• Perun. The main deity, a thunderer, throwing lightning at enemies;
• Veles. Keeper of forests, patron of medicine, poetry and creativity;

• Svarog. God of heavenly forces, patron of blacksmithing;
• Yarilo. Symbol of the sun and fertility.

Slavic men's tattoos

Pagan Slavs believed that wearable drawings should not be applied until a man reaches the age of 33. It is up to this time that the development of the body and spirit takes place.

Now, as before, the representatives of the stronger sex choose tattoos that embody power and strength. Images of Slavic male gods are popular. Most often they prick the image of Perun or the god Yarilo. Often you can see wearable paintings in the form of warriors, vigilantes, as well as scenes from battles and battles. Animal tattoos are also in demand. Leading places are occupied by a bear and a wolf.

From the runes, men mainly choose the military sign "Treba", the symbol "Wind", the rune "Ud", symbolizing the masculine principle. Those who travel a lot and get to know the world inject the “Yes” sign.

Slavic tattoos for girls

In pagan times, the representatives of the weaker sex often pricked crosses on their chests. Girls in ancient Rus' who wanted to have many children chose the Dazhdbog rune. "Support" is another symbol for girls, acting as a talisman for the family and home.

Previously, the sign "Lelya" was not held in high esteem among women, because it means wandering and lack of attachment to a particular area. But for modern ladies who lead an active lifestyle, who love travel and are looking for new experiences, this rune is very suitable.

Of the swastika symbols, "Slavets" was often chosen - an image similar to Kolovrat. It acted as a talisman of women's health.

Slavic themes are becoming more and more popular every year. Tattoos are no exception. Before deciding to make a tattoo, you need to carefully consider the sketch and find out its interpretation. After all, according to popular belief, the wrong Slavic tattoo can completely turn life around, both for the better and for the worse. Do not apply the image yourself and at home. It is better to contact a master who specializes in ancient Slavic subjects. He will apply the tattoo in stages, following the scheme and following all the instructions. As a result, you will receive an image with a deep semantic load that will breathe into you a piece of the culture of the ancient Slavs.

Video: Best Slavic tattoos

If earlier everyone tried to decorate their body with overseas logos, exotic patterns of various tribes or sacral signs bearing deep symbolism, today tattoo artists note an incredible surge of interest in Russian symbols.

Archangel on the back of a guy

The history of development

We can say with confidence that only in recent years have truly Russian motifs been firmly entrenched in the art of tattooing. Moreover, their popularity overtook them not only in our country, but also abroad, where stylized Russian nesting dolls and balalaikas are popular as newfangled kitsch.

The manifesto, which drew the attention of many tattooists to the Russian theme, was the book with the Russian folk tale "Ryaba the Hen", illustrated by Mikhail Baster. Grandfather, woman, mouse and the chicken itself appear in it stylized as an American old school. After the success of the book, many similar sketches appeared, and the image of a samovar entwined with a snake became the logo of the Moscow Tattoo Convention in 2014.

Russian tattoo of a hare with a heart

It is interesting . The Tyumen radio host staged a live competition with radio listeners and, based on the results of the vote, was forced to get a tattoo on his shoulder with the image of President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. The politician in sunglasses with a manly expression ended up liking both the radio host and his large audience.

The pattern on the girl's hand

The masters believe that the interest in sketches with Russian overtones is quite organic and understandable: the tattoo community is too fed up with hieroglyphs, dragons and American eagles. In addition, the Russian samovar, in which there is no obvious subtext (except for a kind, light grin at one’s own, dear), looks more appropriate on the body than oriental animals, applied with a claim to taste and having an incredible number of very different meanings.

No matter how diverse Russian tattoos are, their meaning always lies on the surface: this is an indication of a connection with their native history, no matter how funny or sad it may be at times.

Old school cobra, russian tattoo

Image Options

Russian tattoos, the sketches of which are presented below, today gravitate towards the following areas:

• Russian national ornaments: Gzhel, Khokhloma, Mezen, Gorodets, Zhostovo paintings. These patterns, which anyone associates with Russian folk craft, are often used in tattoos not as the main plot, but as a background in the composition. Moreover, the central figure in the tattoo does not have to have a Russian flavor, because the American eagle plays with completely different colors against the background of Khokhloma. However, the Gzhel sleeve, if performed correctly, will not lose at all to the Polynesian or Japanese abstract tattoo.
• Traditional folk motifs: nesting dolls, felt boots, samovars, bears in earflaps, Ivan the Terrible, Cheburashka, paintings by Vasnetsov and heroes. Often people fill themselves with the image of a Russian peasant peasant, and the image is accompanied by some kind of inscription-slogan.
• Soviet symbols. The most popular are the famous hammer and sickle, coat of arms, Olympic bear, prominent figures (politicians, leaders, Gagarin), a hedgehog in the fog, the Soviet flag and allusions to its theme, the inscription “Made in the USSR”, as well as many recognizable attributes of this period. This also includes plots with yard hooligans, the Soviet navy and echoes of repression.
• Post-Soviet symbols. Often, customers are asked to make sketches on the theme of the nineties and our present. Stylized images of Putin and other politicians, the realities of Russian life and picturesque places (cathedrals, temples, the Kremlin, Neva, etc.) are in demand.
• Plots depicting the uneasy relationship between Russia and the West. Very often there are characters from Soviet cartoons that have entered into a skirmish with their American counterparts, for example, the cat Leopold and Tom, the Russian and American Winnie the Pooh.
• Slavic tattoos. They are often referred to as Russians, but now there is some demarcation of these concepts.

Russian bear with raspberries

Matryoshka - a symbol of Russia

I stuffed an Olympic bear on my shoulder and am very pleased. It seems to me that in this image, pride in the native country is combined with the insane tenderness and kindness of this character. Therefore, my tattoo is not only a tribute to traditions, but also an aesthetically attractive drawing.

Olesya, Nakhodka

A universal image can be played with in a variety of ways. In addition, its meaning can be very easily interpreted precisely because of the principle of these dolls: one hides in the other.

Often some incredible image is hidden inside the nesting doll:, or a naked girl. Yes, and the nesting dolls themselves can be stylized even under anime, even under Russian politicians. This version of the sketch is a win-win, both among guys and girls. And they are stuffed most often on the back, arm or shoulder blade. If you are interested in Russian tattoos, you will find photos of a wide variety of nesting dolls in our article.

Flowers on a girl's shoulder

Bogatyr - defender of the Russian land

The interest of young people in this collective image of a real hero could not but rejoice the older generation. The epic character, symbolizing strength and honesty, power and a good heart, is increasingly becoming a prototype for sketches. Such a tattoo is the prerogative of men who want to focus on their own courage and fearlessness. The color scheme of the picture can be as