A blown out candle. The symbolism behind such an idea seems painful obvious. To be blown out is to be vanquished. To have your light stifled, is never meant for positive. Vladimir knew that. His tattoo was an omen, whether for himself or for the unfortunate soul who ended up with his mark of ruin, he didn't know, but it didn't keep people from avoiding him. They didn't want to be forever reminded of the man who blew out their light.
Vladimir was aware of his curse, and did everything in his power to change that. He sought out love in places and people who no longer feared such an evil meaning. He found himself with tattoos of broken people who no longer believed in love. But Vladimir never gave up hope. His optimism grew, and though he was forever stuck with the memories of lost fates, he still found love in such people. That gave him hope for himself. That he wasn't going to be broken. He was going to find love.
Though he held the tattoos of others, very few people had his own hex. While he sported the tattoos of many past lovers, some from prostitutes whose nights with him rarely ever involved sex. Some were from addicts, who he had tried to help. Vladimir was unaware that love couldn't fix everything. But it didn't take long for him to learn that just because you had their tattoo proudly on your body, didn't mean that they would always have yours. Which, in some ways, Vladimir was thankful to be able to feel love the way he did, and not have to give his burden to anyone.
He didn't realize that those who truly loved him, wouldn't see it as a burden. But he did. Who would want such a tattoo on their body? One complicated and the meaning behind it foreshadowing pain. As much as Vladimir loved, and his skin proudly showing that he truly did love, he sometimes hoped that no one ever loved him.
He feared what he might do to them if he did.