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Mafia Tattoo Photo #7360

Refined mafia tattoo in watercolor style on the shoulder
Mafia tattoo — Photo 6 of 45

The relationship between organized crime and body marking stretches across centuries and continents, from Sicilian cosa nostra to Japanese yakuza to Russian vory v zakone. Understanding these visual codes from a historical and cultural perspective reveals how ink has been used as identification, hierarchy, and binding oath within closed criminal societies.

Watercolor tattoos use soft color gradients and flowing edges that mimic paint on paper. The technique avoids heavy outlines, letting colors blend naturally into the skin for a light, artistic appearance.

The shoulder's rounded shape gives tattoos a natural frame, wrapping designs around the deltoid muscle. It's a versatile placement that transitions easily into a sleeve or back piece.