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It’s a common sight in Thailand: beautiful, detailed tattoos of Buddhist imagery or inscriptions, often on a person’s back. But these tattoos are not just for looks, they’re mystical amulets that provide power and protection.
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Magical tattooing has been practiced throughout Southeast Asia for millennia, and sak yant (also known as sak ya) is thought to have originated more than 2,000 years ago. Sak yant is distinctive among magical tattoos for its Buddhist imagery. They often emulate the Buddhist/Hindu geometrical patterns known as yantra, which are used for meditation.
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In Thailand, where sak yant is most visible and common today, only Buddhist monks and magic practitioners are endowed with the mystical power to give a true sak yant. Tattoo designs are usually chosen by the monk, who reads the aura of the person and inquires into personal details to identify the kind of magic that will best protect them.
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Traditionally, the tattoos are applied with a 12-inch-long bamboo or metal needle, and the ink is specially mixed by the monk. The skin is punctured by a series of jabs very close together to create intricate designs. Once done, the monk chants a spell and breathes on the sak yant to activate its powers.
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The wearer of the tattoo has responsibilities to keep the magic as potent as possible. Depending on the design and specific type of magic of the tattoo, the wearer will have to follow various lifestyle rules, such as abstaining from alcohol, or not eating meat.
If you stroll through the right wat, or temple, in Thailand, you just may be able to witness a sak yant ritual. If you’re interested in learning more about these magical tattoos and would like to visit a temple performing sak yant, contact our local Travel Specialists. They’ll have great advice on how to see this unique cultural practice.
