FAQ for
Eastern Promises (2007) More at IMDbPro »

Worry beads. Nikolai's set comes from a real Russian prisoner, who gave them to Viggo Mortensen to use during filming. They were made from melted down BIC cigarette lighters.

Three Cupolas (Towers) on back: Three terms in prison;

Virgin Mary with Child on abdomen: I am true to my friends / My conscience is clear (could also mean "prison is my home");

Raven on shoulder: Death, I am not yours;

Starburst on finger: I became a criminal because of poverty and a broken home;

Cross on finger: I was in the Crosses (a prison in St. Petersburg);

Black-and-white diamond on finger: I deny official authority / I disobeyed rules while in prison;

Grim Reaper on abdomen: Death is always waiting for me;

Sun and sea with Cyrillic meaning "NORTH" on back of hand: I was in prison in the North;

Crucifix on chest: Professional Thief / I will not betray you;

Skull on shoulder: Stay away from me / Murderer;

Tattoos around ankles: "Where are you going?" and "What the fuck do you care?" written in Russian.

The stars on his knees: Mean that he has been made a lieutenant in the vory v zakone and he will never kneel (literally or figuratively) to any authority again, IE, kneeling on the stars is a grave insult to the new rank. The number of points on each star are also meant to indicate the number of years served in prison.