What is a Bamboo Tattoo?
The History of the Thai Bamboo Tattoo? -Tattoo Studios Modern Take on Spiritual Tradition
Thailand's 'Bamboo Tattoo' is actually a recent trend, that started about 2003 with the popularity of Angelina Jolie's Sak Yant. With growing interest in Sak Yant Tattoos by Tourists who did not know about the Spiritual Traditions, Tattoo Artists used the term Bamboo Tattoo as a marketing gimmick for the Imitations artistic replicas they made for tourists. Over Time this method of Hand Poke application of Tattooing became popular and even taking on the mistaken claim of being Traditional and/or Spiritual.
As Early as 1881 in Carl Bocke book 'Temples and Elephants', we know that the traditional Thai Tattoo was applied using a solid steel needle. So why does the idea that a Bamboo Tattoo is the same thing as a Traditional Thai Tattoo when it is not?
The Allure of the Traditional Thai Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand
The ‘Traditional Thai Tattoo’ has gained popularity as unique souvenirs, allowing travelers to carry a piece of Thailand’s culture back home. These tattoos are promoted as not just art; they imply a connection to the country’s spiritual heritage, drawing inspiration from traditional Sak Yant designs. However the connection between Traditional Thai Tattoo’s (Sak Yant) and Bamboo Tattoo’s done by Tattoo Artists for Tourist’s has never existed. Let’s look at how this Bamboo Tattoo started as a marketing gimmick and became widely sort after in Thailand from Tourists.
When tourists wanted the same type of Tattoo that Angelina Jolie had; tattoo shops attached a needle to a chopstick, and created ‘Bamboo Tattoo’s’. As it was initially the Sak Yant Designs the tourist wanted, Tattoo shops promoted the false idea that ‘traditional Thai tattoo’s’ were made using a bamboo needle. This mistaken history has been repeated by Bloggers and tattoo shop websites so often, it is now a common perception.
So Let’s examine how Thailand’s Bamboo Tattoo’s went from a Tourist Gimmick to mainstream and how to avoid the Imitation Bamboo Gimmick if you want a Real Sak Yant Tattoo Spiritual Expereince
The Real History of Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand
Beginning of Getting a Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand
When modern tattooing first began in Thailand, like most of the world, non sacred tattoos were initially deemed to the realm of the poor and criminal. To combat the low class impressions, an emphasis was made by tattoo artists on modern methods and designs for the modern era. Tattoo Artists did everything they could to reject the traditions of the past and establish themselves as modern, different and safe.
Before 2003 there were not too many (if any) Tattoo Shops doing traditional style of Thai Hand Poke Bamboo tattoos. Getting a Tattoo made using a Bamboo Needle was something you received in Jail – not the image the modern tattoo industry wanted to associate with. If you check the “establish in” year on Tattoo shop’s advertising Traditional Thai Tattoo or Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand, you will rarely see any Tattoo Parlors established before 2004-2005
So what happened to change this?
Angelina Jolie’s 2003 Sak Yant Tattoo
In 2003 Angelina Jolie received her first Sak Yant Tattoo. International media coined it a “Bamboo Tattoo” because they knew other cultures like Japan and the Philippines used Bamboo. This brought both the Spiritual seeking and fashion trending tourist to Thailand to have the same experience.
Tourists would approach Tattoo shops asking for a Bamboo Tattoo like Angelina. Tattoo Artists adapted, attaching a machine needle to the end of a chopstick, and providing what the customer wanted. Initially it was only the Sak Yant Designs that got the traditional hand poke Bamboo Tattoo method, using machines for other non sacred designs.
Thai people knew this “hand poke method using bamboo” was a essentially a ‘prison tattoo’ presented as a sacred part of their tradition and disrespectful. But the tourist did not know, and already came with the belief that this was somehow related to an ancient and historical tradition in Thailand.
Over just a few years, tattoo artists would also offer other design using this traditional hand poked method. It did not take too long before this misconception (Sak Yant vs Traditional Tattoo vs Bamboo Tattoo) was encouraged and soon became most Tattoo Shops main source of income.
Thailand's Bamboo Tattoo - Promoted with a Fake History
Recreating a False History of the Traditional Hand Poked method as “Bamboo Tattoo”
Terms ‘Bamboo Tattoo” and “Traditional Thai Tattoo” are used together almost exclusively by
- Tattoo Artists and Shops who originally and intentionally promoted the term ‘Bamboo Tattoo’ after it was used in western media to describe Angelina Jolies Thai Sak Yant in 2003. Tattoo Shops continue to make an association between their ‘modern take’ and ‘art’ and the significance and history of the Real Sak Yant Experience.
- Travel Bloggers/Vloggers writing articles highlighting their Hand Poked Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand experience. Not having the time to investigate they copied and pasted incorrect existing information, confusing the genuine Spiritual Sak Yant Tattoos with the normal tattoo ‘art’ they received at the tattoo shop.
The earliest reference to Sak Yant Tattooing we could find was in 1881 book by Carl Bocke ‘Temples and Elephants’. He mentions how the ink was made and how the Sak Yant was applied by a solid steel needle. Nothing about the traditional Thai tattoo having any association with using bamboo.
Almost all information you find online about the History of Bamboo Tattoos using an association between the Traditional Thai Tattoo’s or Hand Poke Tattoos are incorrect. Articles, Blogs and various media will mention that in days gone by
1) The Traditional Thai Tattoo was done using a Bamboo Needle using a hand poked method.
2) That these Traditional Thai Bamboo Tattoos were highly prized and magical talismans performed by Monks. And that
3) Using this traditional and ancient hand poked method you can also benefit from the magic powers and spiritual significance because they use the same designs and methods.
For all the academic references and greater detail you can go to a website created by Sak Yant enthusiasts here at bambootattoos.com
The Bamboo Tattoo Gimmick Goes Mainstream
While Bamboo Tattoos started with a non existent association between the Hand Poked Sak Yant done by Holy Men, and the Bamboo Tattoos done by artists. It has now developed into it’s own legitimate style, seen and promoted all over Thailand. New Tattoo artists can go to Bamboo Tattooing classes and the result today is some very impressive modern artwork using the tradition hand poked style used by Monks.
Without a doubt the popularity of Hand Poke Bamboo Tattoos has become a main staple of Thailand’s Tattoo Industry. Thailand’s Tattoo Artist quickly developed a world wide reputation for creating beautiful Bamboo Tattoo’s using their skills and the hand poke method of applying them.
Thai Bamboo Tattoo’s however, is to satisfy tourist demand. A Bamboo Tattoo is a Tourist Tattoo. Given the choice almost all Tattoo Artists would prefer to use a Tattoo machine as it creates finer lines and better detail in the finished Tattoo. Most will try and push the machine method over the hand poke system once a customer is inside the parlor.
The Problem with Thailand’s Bamboo Tattoo
The Tattoo Artist industry in Thailand have re-invented an old method of creating a unique tourist experience in the form of the hand poked Bamboo Tattoo. This has and still is, in great part done based on incorrect associations with the real and traditional style of sacred tattoo’s called Sak Yant.
There is nothing wrong with getting a Bamboo Tattoo from a Tattoo shop. The craft and expertise of the artist produces some beautiful and detailed work. If a tourists wants to experience getting a hand poked tattoo, it is a unique experience that allows them to take a part of current Thailand tattoo culture home with them.
The issue of being scammed arises when the Tattoo Artist uses this method of tattooing to claim they create sacred and spiritual Sak Yant. This is not only unethical in Thai society, it is highly disrespectful to both the culture of Thailand and the person seeking a real and authentic Sak Yant Tattoo. If you are after a replica, one with no meaning or significance because you like the art. AND the tattoo artists tells you they provide an ‘artistic replica’ this hand-poked bamboo tattoo is a legitimate way to get a tourist tattoo while in Thailand.
If however you want a real and authentic Sak Yant experience, and the tattoo shop does not advise you that they provide a modern artistic take that has no significance or meaning …. You are being scammed.
Why you should avoid tattoo parlors if you want a real Sak Yant Tattoo
Sak Yant Tattoos are a traditional Thai form of tattooing, involving sacred geometrical designs. They are incredibly intricate, and each element will have a specific meaning for the wearer. These tattoos have very strong ties to religion and spirituality. The Bamboo Tattoo in Thailand made at Tattoo parlors all over the country have nothing to do with the Traditional Sak Yant, despite the attempts to make the connections.
If you are wanting a Real Sak Yant, they following things are why you should avoid getting it from a Tattoo Shop. For all the many and good reason for this you can read here “Why you don’t get a Sak Yant from a Tattoo Shop”
Want to Get a Real Sak Yant Tattoo?
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