Mafia Tattoo Photo #7368

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.

Blackwork tattoos use solid black ink in bold, graphic compositions. The style ranges from large filled areas and heavy patterns to intricate designs that rely on contrast between ink and bare skin.

The inner arm offers a soft, relatively flat surface that suits detailed and sensitive designs. It's a semi-private placement, visible only when the arm is turned or raised.