Traditional Sak Yant tattoos ('sak' means to tap, 'yant' is the Thai word for Yantra) originated centuries ago and have evolved through both Hindu and Buddhist religions. Sak Yant tattoos are created by masters (Ajarn) who are believed to have expertise in the spirit of the tattoo and the ability to place an incantation on the new ink. Most often these experts are monks who have spent years studying Buddhism and Pali (an ancient script used for writing both Hindu and Buddhist prayers). Sak Yant tattoos were originally given to warriors seeking protection in a battle and if covering the whole body they were thought to give protection from knives and arrows piercing the skin. In many cases the monks will not tattoo Sak Yant on women but if they decide to go forth, a tissue or paper is used as a barrier between the monk and the woman. From monks to warriors to common believers, Sak Yant tattoos can give the wearer magic powers associated with healing, luck, strength and protection against evil.
Sak Yant tattoos are hand-etched onto the skin using a long metal spike or sharpened bamboo and have no solid lines. Instead, hundreds of dots speckle the skin forming ancient geometric shapes and Buddhist prayers. Sak Yant tattoos are unique in the sense that these beautiful dots cannot initially be placed anywhere on the body. Instead the first tattoo must be a nine point tattoo high on the back running onto the nape of the neck. This is considered to be a location on the body where protection must begin hence it being the initial spot.
Yant Kao Yord or 9 Spires (kao is nine in Thai) is the design behind all first Sak Yant tattoos. The triangle represents both the Triple Gem of Buddhism (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and the Three Lords of Brahminism (Shiva, Brahma and Narayana). Each spire represents one of the nine peaks of Mount Meru or one of the nine holiness's Buddha. Mount Meru is a legendary mountain in both Hinduism and Buddhism, thought to be the center of the universe. Each spire (called Unaalome) is represented by both spirals and straight demarcations. The spirals symbolize humans wavering on their normal path of life whereas the demarcations represent those who have attained Enlightenment and are on the direct path to Nirvana. The beauty of Sak Yant design is that although no lines are formed, all patterns are connected therefore any path is attainable. Within the triangle are symbols written in Khom, an ancient Cambodian alphabet but the language itself is Pali (Sanskrit). This sacred language is exclusively used for Buddhist prayers, magic and sacred texts.
This beautiful etching of shapes, designs and alphabet is considered to be powerful and sacred with the ability to protect the wearer from physical attacks, danger, weapons and magical assaults as well as bring good luck. These blessings are not merely attained by the ink though; the wearer must follow the five Buddhist precepts. The final step in receiving a Sak Yant tattoo is the incantation and blessing by Arjun which is completed with three taps of a sword on the back and a soft blow of breath saturated with blessings and protection.
Sak Yant tattoos are hand-etched onto the skin using a long metal spike or sharpened bamboo and have no solid lines. Instead, hundreds of dots speckle the skin forming ancient geometric shapes and Buddhist prayers. Sak Yant tattoos are unique in the sense that these beautiful dots cannot initially be placed anywhere on the body. Instead the first tattoo must be a nine point tattoo high on the back running onto the nape of the neck. This is considered to be a location on the body where protection must begin hence it being the initial spot.Yant Kao Yord or 9 Spires (kao is nine in Thai) is the design behind all first Sak Yant tattoos. The triangle represents both the Triple Gem of Buddhism (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) and the Three Lords of Brahminism (Shiva, Brahma and Narayana). Each spire represents one of the nine peaks of Mount Meru or one of the nine holiness's Buddha. Mount Meru is a legendary mountain in both Hinduism and Buddhism, thought to be the center of the universe. Each spire (called Unaalome) is represented by both spirals and straight demarcations. The spirals symbolize humans wavering on their normal path of life whereas the demarcations represent those who have attained Enlightenment and are on the direct path to Nirvana. The beauty of Sak Yant design is that although no lines are formed, all patterns are connected therefore any path is attainable. Within the triangle are symbols written in Khom, an ancient Cambodian alphabet but the language itself is Pali (Sanskrit). This sacred language is exclusively used for Buddhist prayers, magic and sacred texts.
This beautiful etching of shapes, designs and alphabet is considered to be powerful and sacred with the ability to protect the wearer from physical attacks, danger, weapons and magical assaults as well as bring good luck. These blessings are not merely attained by the ink though; the wearer must follow the five Buddhist precepts. The final step in receiving a Sak Yant tattoo is the incantation and blessing by Arjun which is completed with three taps of a sword on the back and a soft blow of breath saturated with blessings and protection.
