I have heard that some of the symbols are very direct in their meaning, preventing drowning and illness; neutralizing enemies, conjuring a love interest. Some of the talismans make the wearer bulletproof or uncuttable with sharp blades. I point to one man’s tattoo, make a cutting gesture and shake my hand as if so say, can’t cut. He smiles and points to another of his tattoos, pulls his finger across it like a knife blade and then shakes his finger to say can’t cut. The tattoo image is magical: pretty curly-cue caps at the top and some script arranged in a box-like shape.