What is a Yantra Sak Yant tattoo? Well, before we get into the traditions and culture behind them let me share how I even came to know. I grew up staring at a postcard my older brother brought back from Thailand. From back a bit before it was the tourist destination it is these days. I was fascinated at the process, the symbolism, and their history. So I decided to get one quasi spontaneously on a visit to SE Asia in the same original fashion that monks have given these blessings by for generations.
Blessed traditional tattoo
That old & beat up postcard you see is the same that followed me into adulthood. When I could finally experience it for myself, and yupp that’s my back you see at the top of the page. However first you may want to learn a bit about what Sak Yant or Yantra tattoo is before we get into my story. Since that’s probably why you’re reading most anyway, right?
We can get to my experience later in the article…
Meaning of a Sak Yant tattoo
These spiritual tattoos recorded through history across SE Asia and parts of Oceania are symbols of protection and blessing amongst other benefits to their bearer, with strong magic. Traditions originate back to indigenous tribal specifics but this type of body art was adopted into the Hindu-Buddhist teachings of Yantra, and included meditative geometric patterns and dieties of spiritual significance with Pali phrases that offer the blessing.
The scripting used to deliver the magic can vary between regions. In Cambodia, Thailand, and parts of Myanmar are most often old Khmer Script of the ancient Khmer Empire. Some parts of Thailand, Laos, and into other parts it could be Shan, Tai Lu, or Lao Tham scripts.
Does the tattoo hurt?
If you may be reading just to learn if a tattoo with a bamboo / steel rod hurts, then I can save you some reading and say, of course. The most interesting part is you may even hear an odd popping sound every time the rod pierces your skin. You’re welcome, now back to learning. 🙂
Give Respects
Seek a master
A Sak Yant tattoo is traditionally given by a monk who have passed “ten vassa” or “ten rains” (Pali script) that are referred to as an Ajarn, or “Teacher”, a title of respect, with likely years of experience in both the practice and tradition of the tattooing. It’s also very common for a former monk whom left the temple to provide the same experience and legitimately provide the blessing.
The ink used to provide the tattoo are often mixtures of spiritual nature that can include ingredients ranging from cigarette ash to snake venom. Which can be a hygiene concern for anyone looking to avoid getting more than the tattoo. However these days there’s a general greater diligence towards hygiene, especially after covid-19.
Some of the more common Sak Yant tattoos you’ll find are such as the Gao Yord shown above. The 9 spires are individual spells and usually placed higher on the body towards the neck and is one of the most significant of all Sak Yant designs.
Another popular design for universally good protection magic is the Hah Taew, or the 5 lines yant. Each row contains a spell starting with preventing unjust negativity and general protection. While the others will cover everything from negating bad luck, dark magic, and increasing general success and fortune. The fifth one though, is technically a bit vain and is to increase your attraction to others with charisma and looks.
Sak Yant Designs Mean Something
- An experienced monk or ajarn should be familiar with translating the spell attached to a Yant design.
- It is common for a honored monk to refuse doing more aggressive designs such as those attributed with Muay Thai and combatants.
Strong Magic
Strength Sak Yant
Some of the Yantra designs and spells included in the old traditions of the Khmer empire are more aggressive than others. Traditional Sak Yant tattoos with tigers, dragons, snakes, and other strong animals and deities have a Sak Yant tattoo meaning more dominant or imposing. Such as the twin tigers shown adjacent, this tattoo infers power, protection, courage, and suggests a fighter / warrior magic.
However the presence of different elements of nature may not always mean what you might think. Though most often the Sak Yant tattoo meaning can be associated to the nature of the depiction and their influence in the magic is intentional.
The Experience
Ritual and Customs
When presenting yourself to receive a Sak Yant tattoo, on top of a fee you will likely also be required to donate some material items including incense and cigarettes. The items required by the Ajarn may differ but they or their apprentices will be sure to inform you of the requirements. This will usually cost you around a few dollars extra.
If using a local guide or website service, they’ll inform you before or have everything prepared when you arrive. Then the Ajarn will position you to have the tattoo applied with a rod used to strike your flesh.
What to expect getting a Sak Yant
- Where you might get your Sak Yant can vary from an air conditioned place with WiFi to a crowded and very hot spot with maybe a fan. However you may not be inside an actual temple.
- The hygiene levels in some locations to see some masters may make some folks uncomfortable. Be aware of any potential dangers and I recommend having your basic vaccinations for the region.
- After the tattoo is applied a chant will be made to activate the magic of the new tattoo, and a square of gold foil placed over it with potentially some water sprinkled at you. This portion can take some time as well depending on your Yant.
- These traditional tattoos are sought for vanity by some, but actually mean something to others. Be respectful and try to appreciate the tradition.
- It does NOT tickle. A tattoo from a single rod jammed into your skin compared to a modern tattoo gun is worth mention. It can hurt.
My Yant Story
When you want a Sak Yant
At the beginning of this article I eluded to a childhood quasi-goal of getting a legitimate Sak Yant and I wasn’t joking. Now imagine my disappointment when I inevitably learned that it has became a thing of vanity to many. Meaning a story about their first Sak Yant tattoo adorns the websites and blogs of more people than I ever thought I would find until I looked.
However I got mine for me. Before I put much thought into the idea of a website, or thinking about needing pictures, and I didn’t do much social media nor really cared if anyone knew I was getting / have got Sak Yant. So the stories were for me.
A first Sak Yant
Sometimes life just provides you the right place at the right time. Which happened to come to me one late night in a smaller town in northern Thailand at a local bar not far from the border with Myanmar. It would serve as several firsts for me that night. From the first time of both playing, and losing games of pool to a token Asian “lady boy” with a cock fight in the background and listening to heavy Thai accented singing of some American club songs.
I came here alone this trip, and had sought out some less touristy ambiance amongst some locals after being drawn in while passing looking for some refreshment after a day in the heat. The fellow patrons were friendly, the beer was ice cold, and the music selection was on point. So I decided to give it a go and as an American might after a couple beers I gleefully made new friends around the bar.
Now unfortunately some details are intentionally left out in case family ever reads my content but well, a small scuffle may have occurred at some point. Perhaps a couple punches were thrown but only one of them landed, and the peace was broken momentarily. The result of which though, was before the moon was fully risen there was a goofy bald American man singing with a bunch of Thai folks with stories of everything from religion, to women. All while sharing in the universal equalizer of liquor and fun.
Buddhist Healing
The Monkey God
As we all continued to see whom would yield first while challenging each other to “อีกหนึ่ง” – “one more” we inevitably lost track of the time. At least until the owners wife showed up to damper the cheer of our newly minted group of friends consisting of roughly a dozen thai locals, a goofy bald American, and a pair of Burmese brothers in town to visit relatives. An interesting lot to say the least.
So feeling both night’s toll, and the creeping rise of the sun I was shown to a local dive where the family was just opening up for the day and took a seat still laughing about how we arrived. When the Pad Kra Prao showed up the conversations withered as this band of fools gulped down their late breakfast and watched as the local monks arrived to collect their donations for the day.
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The monks follow a rather disciplined routine in their day and it was getting time for him to continue his own, but not before hearing more about me and the stories of our conversations that lead to my acceptance. As we sat and chatted between his brother whom translated I complimented his Yants and inquired about a blessing of my own, not knowing the man was a practicing Ajarn and more than willing to provide one later that day.
As I retreated to my bed I sought nothing more than the solace of the pillow, quickly drifting to sleep. What seemed like only moments later I’m awakened by a phone call from my new acquaintance Mee Noi. He’s down stairs waiting to take me to get my first Sak Yant tattoo! As the fog fades from my head I realize the events before I slept and hurried to hop in the beat up pickup waiting to chauffer. We stop in front of another family members home where Mee disappears and soon returns with a handful of the specific offerings required “as payment” he says.
If only I had known I might try to make a website some day, is a phrase I’ll repeat in any pre-Covid stories. Since when I’m lost in an my own experiences I neglect to even consider anything outside of the moment. So the only pictures I have are have from soon after, and much later. I didn’t even consider any before or during.
The Sak Yant Experience
- The offerings you will provide will usually be very specific and include everything from bags of rice, some money, specific fruits or herbs and is up to the artist along with any additional fee.
- My Sak Yant tattoo took roughly a couple of hours, along with the chanted blessing after that was just over an additional half or so.
- I let them choose the design and the blessing. I know how it was translated to me but if for some reason it’s inaccurate I wouldn’t want to know anyway. 😀
- The rod and tip used to apply it was placed in fire for sterilization and the ink I was assured fresh (although I have no way to verify).
- Vaccinations are important in some parts of the world, but I still had myself tested both when I got home and some time later just be sure.
- A local antiseptic was applied and honestly, it actually wasn’t too bad as it healed.
- It was not my first tattoo, nor my first done with primitive techniques, and definitely not my last. However those with tattoos are probably already aware it won’t be the same as with a modern tattoo method.
- I could literally hear a popping sound not unlike bursting bubble wrap every time the tip pierced my skin and there were moments of more pain than I had experienced in other tattoos especially along the spine.
So if you’re thinking you might want your own, or perhaps you already have one I wish you the best along your journey to get one. However only if it actually means something to you and isn’t just for vanity. The fact you’ve read this article gives me hope you understand what a Sak Yant is meant for. Just respect it for the tradition that it is and it will no doubt carry some form of magic for you and maybe someday I’ll see you out there to hear your story in return!