Prison Tattoos as a Reflection of Soviet Russia’s Political and Historical Legacy

In Soviet Russia, history was closely intertwined with politics, and the government used various means to propagate its ideology. One of the most interesting ways in which this was manifested was through prison tattoos. Prisoners in Russia, particularly in Soviet times, would get tattoos of national leaders as a form of protection and respect.

Lenin and Stalin, two of the most revered leaders of the Russian revolution, appeared frequently in prison tattoos. This trend could be traced back to the 1920s when prisons had no rules against tattoos. Guards would not be allowed to shoot or stab images of national leaders, as a form of indirect respect for the leaders themselves.

Many Soviet prisoners preferred to get tattoos of Lenin or Stalin as a sign of loyalty to the state and the party. These leaders represented the ideology and values that the prisoners believed in, and their tattoos served as a way to express their allegiance. Moreover, these tattoos also served as a form of protection, as they made the prisoners less vulnerable to attacks from other inmates.

Ivan the Terrible, the first Czar of Russia, echoed a different era. The history of Ivan the Terrible’s crimes is well known. He killed his own son in a fit of rage, and this incident was a significant blight on his legacy. However, this horrific incident did not stop prisoners from choosing Ivan the Terrible as the subject of their tattoos. Such actions may appear strange to us; however, for the Soviet prisoners, Ivan the Terrible was still considered a national leader, even after his demise.

Joseph Stalin’s son represented another intriguing aspect of the subject. Stalin’s son committed suicide due to the immense pressure and harshness that his father inflicted on him. Stalin allegedly said after receiving the news that he could not even have shot straight. This quote highlights Stalin’s violent and ruthless nature, which left a significant impact on the people around him. It also reflects the cruelty and unforgiving nature of Stalin’s regime.

The legacy of Lenin, on the other hand, continued long after his death. Lenin’s embalmed body is still on display in the Red Square’s majestic Mausoleum in Moscow to this day. A unique feature of Lenin’s preserved body is that it receives an annual bathing and dressing ceremony, where it is luxuriously pampered and dressed in new clothes. This tradition began in 1924, and it continues even today, showcasing the immense reverence and respect that Russians still hold for Lenin.

However, Lenin’s tomb is not his final resting place according to his wishes. Lenin requested that his body be buried next to his wife, as he desired to spend eternity beside her. But Stalin chose to preserve Lenin’s body in the mausoleum to appear as if Lenin himself still wielded significant power. Despite being preserved for almost a century, there are still questions about the authenticity of Lenin’s preserved body, as people cannot help but speculate whether the body is still Lenin’s.

In conclusion, the topic of prison tattoos and the leaders that dominated the Russian political scene during the Soviet era revealed how these figures were idolized in Soviet times. The complexities of Russian history and its leaders invite reflection and contemplation, as they continue to hold a significant place in the country’s narrative. From Ivan the Terrible to Joseph Stalin, and Lenin’s preserved body, these intriguing facts offer insight into the past, adding to our understanding of Russia’s history and the forces that have shaped its development.