What is a Sak Yant Tattoo?
Sak Yant Meaning, History and Definitions
Understanding Sak Yant Tattoo Meaning | What is a Traditional Thai Tattoo
Sak Yant Meaning History and Explanation from Sak Yant Masters:
What is a Sak Yant? The Sak Yant Tattoo is a Traditional Tattoo applied by a holy man, while chanting prayers using a Steal Needle in either Ink (visible) or oil (invisible) that is ended with a Magical Blessing. The Sak Yant Tattoo offers protection to the wearer and serves as a Talisman of Affirmation for a personal quality, quest or goal.
Sak Yant tattoos are a traditional form of tattooing that originated in Southeast Asia. They are also known as Yantra tattoos and are deeply rooted in the spiritual and religious beliefs of the region. In recent years, these tattoos have gained popularity across the world, with many people getting them as a form of body art or as a symbol of their spiritual beliefs. In this article, we will explore what a Sak Yant tattoo is, its history, meaning, and how to get one.
What is a Sak Yant Tattoo?
A Sak Yant tattoo is a traditional form of tattooing that originated in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar by a Holy man – Not a tattoo Shop or Artist. The word “Sak Yant” translates to “magic tattoo” or “blessed tattoo” in Thai. These tattoos are often done by Buddhist monks or spiritual masters, who have undergone years of training and practice.
Sak Yant tattoos are believed to have magical powers, which can protect the wearer from harm, bring good luck, and ward off evil spirits. They are also thought to enhance the wearer’s physical and mental abilities, such as strength, courage, and wisdom.
The tattoos are usually made up of intricate designs and symbols, which are believed to have different meanings and powers. Some of the most common Sak Yant designs include the Hah Taew (Five Line), Gao Yord, (9 Peaks) and Paed Tidt (8 Direction)
The 3 Parts Meaning of a Real Sak Yant
The Design
This is the picture or design of the Sak Yant. While all Sak Yants come with their own meaning implicit to the design, if you like a certain design, it might be able to be used but changed to include the Kata and Blessing elements into the final meaning
The Khata
This includes the magic spells within the mind of the Sak Yant master as they create the Sak Yant. The master is reciting special prayers as they apply the design so that it becomes filled with the desired intention of the final design. The Kata also includes the text written around the Sak Yant. This text is usually presented incorrectly in drawn images you find online and are corrected by the Master. This is design to keep the knowledge so that only those qualified to give Sak Yants can give them.
The Blessing
The final blessing given at the end of the Sak Yant Process. Special intentions and desires can be requested for this. The Blessing of the Sak Yant can only be done by an Authentic Sak Yant Master trained in the magical arts.
The 3 Aspects of the Sak Yant mean that You Can’t get a Real Sak Yant from a Tattoo Shop
Sak Yant Tattoo Meaning - สักยันต์ - Sak Yant
The term Sak (สัก in Thai) means to ‘Tap’ or ‘To Tattoo’. Traditionally done with a Bamboo Needle, hence the combination of ‘Tap Tattoo’
The term Yant (ยันต์ in Thai) means ‘Yantra’. Originally derived from the same Sanskrit word a Yantra or Mantra is the magical design and Text.
Sak Yant Tattoo are the Thai name for the Tattooing of Sacred geometrical designs on the skin. Yant (or Yantra, as they are call them in the west), can only to be tattooed by Buddhist monks, or Brahmin Holy men.
The Yant tattoos have developed over the centuries under the influence of several different religious philosophies. The Yantra designs that already existed in Hindu India were adapted by the Thais as Buddhism arrived from neighboring India.
The Origins and Hisotry of the Sak Yant Tattoo
Sak Yant tattoos have a long and fascinating history, which dates back to ancient times. They are believed to have originated in the Khmer Empire, which existed from the 9th to the 15th centuries and covered parts of modern-day Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.
Over the centuries, the popularity of Sak Yant Tattoos grew, and they became an integral part of the culture and traditions of Southeast Asia. Today, these tattoos are still deeply rooted in the spiritual and religious beliefs of the region and are considered a sacred art form.
The History of Thai Buddhist Tattoos
Buddhism has a rich and extensive history spanning over two millennia in Thailand. Presently, a substantial 95% of the population practices the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. However, over time, this religious practice has amalgamated with mystical beliefs and tantric customs, leading to the infusion of magic into Thai Buddhism.
Mystical Thai Buddhism, also known as Tantric Theravada, is a distinctive form of Buddhism that integrates magical and ritualistic practices with a systematic approach to attaining Buddhist enlightenment. This variant of Buddhism employs various esoteric methods, such as number symbolism, mantras, and sacred language, to accomplish aims such as protection, healing, good fortune, longevity, and more. Devotion to Devas, Buddhas, and Spirits is also an integral part of this mystical belief system.
The origin of sak yants can be traced back up to 2000 years ago, although the oldest known record of its use dates back only to the 1600s, during the reign of the Ayuttaya Kingdom in Thailand. Warriors were bestowed with yant tattoos and yant shirts as a talisman to safeguard them in battle. The yantra tattooing process was conducted by monks through a traditional hand-poked technique known as bamboo tattooing.
Many of the figures and motifs portrayed in sak yants come from the mythologies and legends of Thailand. The devas, divine beings, feature prominently in these tattoos, including Rama and the mythical Himapant animals, legendary creatures usually composed of two or three different animals.
Cultural Significance of Sak Yant Tattoos
Sak Yant tattoos hold a deep cultural significance in Thailand, and are believed to possess magical powers that can bring good luck, health, and prosperity to the wearer. The designs are often accompanied by special prayers and blessings, which are said to imbue the tattoo with spiritual energy. With the increased popularity of Sak Yant’s many tattoo parlors and artists offer fake replicas of the designs.
This is not only considered highly disrespectful to the culture and traditions of Thailand. The placing of fake Sak Yants obtained from tattoo shops could result in a Real Sak Yant Master refusing to give an authentic Sak Yant due to the lack of respect for the spiritual aspects of the Sak Yant history and traditions.
What is the Purpose of a Sak Yant Tattoo?
A Sak Yant Tattoo purpose is seen as the strongest form of protection against bad luck, black magic and supernatural forces. The primary meaning of Sak Yant Tattoos are used as a magical form of protection against negative influences of ones life. In addition to the supernatural protection they are used as a personal Talisman for creating change in personality traits, life circumstances and assistance in the achievement of goals.
For the wearers of the Sak Yant Tattoo, the Sak Yant does have an important part to play in obtaining assistance in life through the benefit of receiving the positive Karma from the Monk or Sak Yant Master who creates it. In Thai culture as well as many religions around the world, the ability of a spiritual master to share/bless/charge the spiritual status of another is accepted as a matter of reality. The Sak Yant Tattoo then, bestows spiritual and magical power to the user from the knowledge and wisdom of the Master. This is Why you don’t get a Sak Yant Tattoo from a Tattoo Studio
Sak Yant Tattoo Protection Against
Dangers
Illness
Unwanted Spirits
Bad Luck
Physical Harm
Black Magic
Spells & Curses
Sak Yant Tattoo Personal Qualities
Invincibility
Good fortune and Luck
Avoid bad Habits
Attraction and Charisma
Power and Authority
Overcome Opponents
Comparison and Kindness
The Master Sak Yants - The 3 Most popular Sak Yant Designs
The Master Yants contain univerisal blessings that cover everything. They are
1) Paed Tidt (8 Direction)
2) Hah Taew (Five Line)
3) Gao Yord (Buddha Peaks)
Other, more complex and complicated Sak Yant designs such as animals and sacred geometry are seen as advanced talismans for more serious and dedicated believers. I For more extensive details of various Sak Yant designs you can check out the article “Sak Yant Designs and Meanings”
The Sak Yant design ‘Paed Tidt’ or Eight Direction Yant is a sacred Geometric Yant containing eight Mantras written in 2 concentric circles in the center of the design. The design of the Paed Tidt Yant also incorporates eight representations of the Buddha. These are the groups of 3 ovals each increasing in size from the top.
In Thailand, there is a Buddha image, each one in a different pose, for every day of the week. (On Wednesdays there are 2 Buddhas, one for the morning and one for the evening) and these 8 Buddha Images can be seen in many Thai temples, usually surrounding a Chedi.
The Paed Tidt (8 Direction) Sak Yant Design and Meaning
The Sak Yant design ‘Paed Tidt’ or Eight Direction Yant is a sacred Geometric Yant containing eight Mantras written in 2 concentric circles in the center of the design. The design of the Paed Tidt Yant also incorporates eight representations of the Buddha. These are the groups of 3 ovals each increasing in size from the top.
In Thailand, there is a Buddha image, each one in a different pose, for every day of the week. (On Wednesdays there are 2 Buddhas, one for the morning and one for the evening) and these 8 Buddha Images can be seen in many Thai temples, usually surrounding a Chedi.
The Paed Tidt Yant will give you protection in whichever direction you are traveling and ward off evil spirits. The script used on the Paed Tidt Yant is an ancient Khmer script known as Khom.
The Hah Taew (5 Line) Sak Yant Design and Meaning
The Sak Yant Hah Taew dates its origin back over 700 years to the ancient Kingdom of Lanna which is now known as Northern Thailand. The Buddhist Monk credited with the design of the Hah Taew 5 Lines Sak Yant is Kruba Kam of Wat Ton Pin, a Buddhist Temple in Chiang Mai, which unfortunately no longer exists today. Kruba Kam designed the Hah Taew at around the time King Mengrai founded the city of Chiang Mai in 1296.
Over the centuries, either by accident or design, the original 5 lines of script which were written in Khom, an ancient Khmer language, underwent several changes and in recent years, several Sak Yant Ajarns have completely replaced the original 5 lines of script with lines of their own.
The Gao Yord (9 Peaks of Buddha) Sak Yant Design and Meaning
The Gao Yord is the “Yant Kru” or Master Yant and is a most sacred Buddhist tattoo with very wide ranging powers of protection and is quite possibly the most important of all the available Sak Yant designs. Many people will choose the Gao Yord as their first Sak Yant because of its universal powers and later add other Sak Yant designs of their choice.
The basic design of the Gao Yord represents the nine peaks of the mythical mountain of the Gods, Mount Meru. According to Hindu mythology, Mount Meru is the abode of the Lord Brahma as well as other Deities. In Buddhist mythology, Mount Meru is known as Sumeru.
The set of 3 ovals are a representation of the Lord Buddha and this grouping of 3 ovals can be seen in many other Sak Yant designs. The Gao Yord Yant has 9 Buddhas represented, with each Buddha bestowing special powers or spells. In some versions of the Gao Yord, there is a Mantra or Katha tattooed at the base of the design.
In the centre of the Gao Yord design is a patchwork of small squares, the magic box, (although in some designs the outlines are not shown but only the contents), each square containing an abbreviation (in Khom) for the names of all the protection spells that this Yant will bestow. The exact number of these small squares can vary according to the design but the powers granted to the wearer will always include the following.
This benefit will help you to improve your circumstances at work
Quick Questions and Answers about the Sak Yant Tattoo
Can Anyone get a Sak Yant Buddhist Tattoo?
The Short answer is Yes.
You do not have to be Buddhist to get a Sak Yant Tattoo. The Buddhist Tattoo, Monk Tattoo or Sak Yant, has only a partial history in Buddhism. As Buddhism came to Thailand, many of the old belief systems in the supernatural were incorporated into the Buddhist beliefs. As it was the Buddhist Temples that primarily taught reading and writing, in order to study any subject you usually first became a Monk to learn.
While it has remained the tradition of Buddhist Monks to include the Sak Yant tattoo as one of the tools of blessings. You do not have to be a Buddhist to get a Sak Yant Tattoo. The principals of the Sak Yant Rules apply to every spiritual tradition, be it Christian, Muslim or a modern spirituality
Is it disrespectful to get a Sak Yant Tattoo?
It is not disrespectful to get a real Sak Yant from a authentic Sak Yant Master. It is however highly disrespectful to get a fake Sak Yant from a Tattoo Artist.
The reason people get a Sak Yant Tattoo is to gain control over various aspects of their lives – that they are unable to accomplish themself. Divided into two main categories of Protection and Personal Traits. The protection aspect usually relates to asking for a supernatural element of assistance in overcoming problems. The Traits or Personal Qualities aspect relate to changing a persons behavior and thinking to advance in life. Both of these aspects rely on the Sak Yant being Blessed which essentially means being magically charged by the spiritual authority of the Monk or Sak Yant Master.
And of course the Sak Yant Tattoo just looks awesome. If you are going to get a Tattoo while in Thailand, why not get one that has special and significant meaning?
Who can give Sak Yant Tattoos? - What Makes Sak Yant Real?
The Sak Yant is a combination of Tattoo design, Prayers administered as the tattoo is being made, and a final blessing to charge and activate it with the power of the Sak Yant Masters. It takes Sak Yant Masters years of training in the magical art’s and living a good and Spiritual life to gain the knowledge and power to create these personal charms. For a Sak Yant to be real they must be done by a spiritual trained and qualified Sak Yant Master. Sak Yant Tattoos can not be done from a tattoo shop!
How to Get a Sak Yant Tattoo
If you are interested in getting a Sak Yant tattoo, it is important to do your research and find a reputable artist or spiritual master who specializes in this type of tattooing. It is also important to understand the cultural and spiritual significance of these tattoos and to approach the process with respect and reverence.
In many cases, getting a Sak Yant tattoo involves a ritualistic ceremony, which may include offerings, prayers, and blessings. It is important to be prepared for this experience and to follow the instructions of the artist or spiritual master.
Sak Yant Chiang Mai is a Co-op of Real Sak Yant Masters giving authentic Traditional Thai Tattoo expereinces for western tourists.