Tattoos have always been a part of the culture of Thailand, and many Buddhist monks have employed the Sak Yant tattoo method for religious purposes. But, what is behind these beautiful designs imprinted into the skin?
First of all, Sak Yant traditional Thai tattoos are part of the centenary arts of the Kingdom of Siam. Masters and apprentices have been passing on the traditional method of Thai tattoos for years, and it remains a huge part of Muay Thai, Thailand’s national sport. The influence of Sak Yant in the art of boxing is quite remarkable.
Sak Yant tattoos are pure magic for many Thais. The meaning of Sak Yant is simple; Sak means tattoo and Yant is a magical symbol. In order to receive the magic, you have to receive the tattoo from an Ajarn, or a teacher in the art.
Gratitude is expected from the Ajarns, as you can see in the picture.
Sak Yant tattoos are created for many reasons, the primary ones being religious and protective. What about Muay Thai? It is said that these tattoos imbue their owners with superhuman strength, the ability to become faster and to protect them from evil spirits.
Legend has it that Thailand has never been occupied by a foreign country thanks to Thai army ghost soldiers who were invisible to the eyes of invaders, thanks to the powers of their sak yant tattoos.
How To Get a Thai Traditional Sak Yant Tattoo?
Everyone knows that tattoos can be painful, and the traditional Thai method is no exception. The Ajarn will take a large bamboo or metal rod, dip it into ink, and begin taking quick, calculated stabs to the recipient’s skin.
What many people don’t know about traditional Thai tattoos is that there are additional ingredients put into the ink in order for it to have its magical properties. Studies show that different recipes hold different ingredients, and can range from charcoal, herbs, and even snake venom.
The ink content and the method to imprint ink into the skin are two of the reasons why is extremely important to be careful when having a Thai traditional Sak Yant. Here are some recommendations:
- It can be considered insulting to get a fake Sak Yant by a novice, or a normal tattoo artist. Trust only real Ajarns.
- Tradition says that if the ink and the person doing the tattoo are not right, the Sak Yant will not be blessed and it will be powerless.
- Misrepresentation of these symbols has landed some people in jail, leading the Thai cultural minister to threaten to ban tourists from getting religious tattoos altogether.
- If the tattoo is performed by a not real Ajarn, the art could be wrong.
That’s why in Khongsittha we love to help you get a real Sak Yant Thai tattoo.
Receive a Sak Yant Tattoo With Us
In Khongsittha we are more than glad to bring you to a real Thai tattoo Ajarn with years of experience. The process itself will be according to traditions and including all the mysticism from this beautiful tradition.
Just let us know that you want to have a traditional Thai Sak Yant Tattoo and we will arrange everything to visit a very well-known Ajarn on your trip to Thailand. All the pictures included in this article are from a visit of our fighters to imprint real magical Thai tattoos on their skin.
